Pashu Banam Admi

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pashu Banam Admi" by Banechand Malu:

The text, "Pashu Banam Admi" (Animal vs. Man), by Banechand Malu, contrasts the simple, peaceful, and fulfilling life of a bird with the complex, stressful, and often destructive life of a human.

The author begins by observing a bird's daily routine. The bird wakes up at dawn, cheerfully chirping, which the author interprets as sweetly calling upon God. It then flies, hops, and enjoys its life with contentment. The bird diligently collects twigs to build its nest and seeds for sustenance, feeding itself and its young. Its day concludes with a peaceful sleep, devoid of any stress or sound.

In contrast, the author then examines a man's routine. The man's waking time is inconsistent, and his moods fluctuate between happiness and complaint. He remembers God sometimes but is often caught in a rush. He goes to work, sometimes on time, sometimes late, returning home either happy or worried. His arrival time is uncertain due to meetings or unfinished work. This lifestyle leads to fewer moments of joy and more stress. Upon returning home, the man is often irritable and argumentative with his family, creating a tumultuous and unhappy household. His external life is also filled with conflicts, quarrels, and disputes. He lives without peace and eats without peace, leading to a life that passes by without true fulfillment.

The author reflects on this stark contrast, questioning the purpose of creating humans when birds seem to live a more orderly and meaningful existence. The author then imagines a divine perspective, where humans were sent to earth with a promise to become divine beings, show everyone the path of life, and make the earth a paradise. However, upon arriving on Earth, humans seem to have forgotten their promise. The divine entity expresses regret for creating humans, questioning the benefit of their existence.

This divine observer sees that humans have polluted the Earth's atmosphere with sins and misdeeds. The text lists various destructive actions: violence, robbery, immorality, theft, oppression, quarrels, deceit, trickery, tyranny, and crimes, which are flowing like rivers. The creator, who intended humans to be wise and enlightened, sees them engaging in destructive wars. The observer wonders if any other creature behaves this way and why humans are not afraid of their own destruction.

The text concludes with the divine entity's contemplation: perhaps it was a mistake to bestow so much thought and intelligence upon humans. From now on, the decision is made to keep the human race "mindless like animals" to restore the purity of the Earth. The final lines emphasize the repeated wish for the Earth's purification.

In essence, "Pashu Banam Admi" is a profound critique of human behavior, highlighting the detrimental impact of greed, conflict, and a disconnect from spiritual values, contrasting it with the natural harmony and simple contentment observed in the animal kingdom, and ultimately suggesting a return to a more primal state for the sake of the planet's well-being.