Parshwanatha Charitra

This document is a Gujarati translation of the Sanskrit work "Parshwanatha Charitra" (The Life of Parshwanatha), authored by Udayvir Gani and translated with financial assistance from Parmananddas Ratanji Seth. It was published by Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha, Bhavnagar, in Vira Samvat 2445 (Vikram Samvat 1975, AD 1919).

The text aims to provide a detailed account of the life and teachings of Lord Parshwanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism. The translation is intended to make this profound spiritual narrative accessible to a wider audience who are more conversant with Gujarati than Sanskrit.

The introduction to the text outlines the four main categories of Jain scriptures:

1. Dravyanuyoga: Deals with the fundamental principles and essence of Jainism, considered profound and primarily for the intellectually inclined.
2. Ganitanuyoga: Focuses on mathematical and astronomical aspects, serving to enhance intellect and support Dravyanuyoga.
3. Charanakrayanuga: Pertains to conduct and practices, an excellent tool for those seeking spiritual liberation to realize the fruit of knowledge through restraint, and a constant guide for those desiring salvation.
4. Charitanuga / Dharmakathanuyoga: Narrates the lives and stories of great souls, considered highly beneficial for young minds and a broad section of the populace.

The "Parshwanatha Charitra" falls under the Charitanuga category. While Parshwanatha's life is covered in the "Trishashthi Shalaka Purusha Charitra," this particular work is an expanded prose rendition by Udayvir Gani, comprising approximately 5500 verses. The translation aims to make the teachings and stories within this extensive narrative accessible to Gujarati readers.

The text highlights the uniqueness of Lord Parshwanatha's life, noting his special significance and the fact that even non-Jains recognize Jain deities by his name. It mentions his journey from the tenth heaven in his final incarnation and his previous lives, including being a Chakravarti (universal emperor) in his eighth human birth, indicating his elevated spiritual status.

The author Udayvir Gani, belonging to the Tapa Gachha tradition, composed this work in Samvat 1654. The text elaborates on the twelve vows of a householder (Shravaka), the fifteen types of Karma-daana (actions leading to karmic bondage), and the twenty-two types of uneatable items (Abhakshya). It details the specific transgressions (Atichara) associated with these practices to ensure adherence without error.

The summary also lists the key themes and narratives covered in the book, chapter-wise:

• Chapter 1: Covers Parshwanatha's initial two lives (Bhav 1-3), including his birth as Marubhuti, his encounters with Kamatha, and the consequential events.
• Chapter 2: Details his fourth and fifth lives (Bhav 4-5), focusing on his existence as Kiranbegh Vidyadhar and his subsequent spiritual journey.
• Chapter 3: Narrates his sixth and seventh lives (Bhav 6-7), illustrating his life as Vajranabha and his interactions with various philosophical and ethical concepts.
• Chapter 4: Covers his eighth and ninth lives (Bhav 8-9), portraying his life as Surapura Raja and his subsequent renunciation and spiritual attainment.
• Chapter 5: Recounts his final and most significant life (Bhav 10), beginning with his birth as the son of King Ashvasena of Varanasi, his divine conception, birth, and early life, including his marriage and the overcoming of obstacles presented by King Prasanejita and the Yavanas.
• Chapter 6: Depicts his renunciation, austerities, attainment of Kevalgyana (omniscience), and his discourses on Jain principles, including the importance of dana (charity), shila (virtue), tapa (asceticism), and bhavana (meditation), supported by various illustrative stories.
• Chapter 7: Focuses on the teachings of his Ganadhar (chief disciples), particularly Aryadatta, who elaborates on the vows of a householder, the importance of Jin-puja (worship of Jain Tirthankaras), and provides illustrative stories related to different types of worship.
• Chapter 8: Describes his final journey to Sammet Shikhar, his attainment of Nirvana, and the celestial celebrations that followed.

The book also includes an index of incidental stories within the main narrative, highlighting their moral or spiritual lessons. The publisher expresses gratitude to Seth Parmananddas Ratanji for his generous financial support, encouraging others to emulate his philanthropic spirit. The preface concludes with a recommendation for readers to first go through the index to better appreciate the flow and content of the narrative.

Overall, "Parshwanatha Charitra" is presented as a comprehensive, spiritually enriching, and easily understandable account of Lord Parshwanatha's life, translated for the benefit of Gujarati-speaking Jains.