Prachin Jain Itihas 01

This document is the first part of "Prachin Jain Itihas" (Ancient Jain History) by Surajmal Jain, published by Mulchand Kisandas Kapadia. It aims to present the ancient history of Jainism, focusing on India, from a Jain perspective, utilizing their scriptures.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects and content covered in the provided pages:

I. Introduction and Fair Use Declaration:

• The document begins with a "Fair Use Declaration" from "The Free Indological Collection" (TFIC). It states the book is sourced from another online repository, believed to be in the public domain, and is provided for individual educational or research use. TFIC aims to make valuable books more accessible, especially those in Indian languages or hard to find. They emphasize not to undercut original repositories and to be informed of any objections from intellectual property owners.

II. Title Page and Publisher Information:

• Title: Prachin Jain Itihas (Ancient Jain History), Part One (प्रथम भाग).
• Author: Shri Surajmal Jain (लेखकश्री सूरजमल जेन).
• Publisher: Mulchand Kisandas Kapadia, Surat (प्रकाशक: भूलचन्द किसनदास कापड़िया-सूरत).
• Edition: Second Edition (द्वितीयावृत्ति), Veer Samvat 2448.
• Price: Twelve Annas (मूल्य बारह माने).
• Printer: Mulchand Kisandas Kapadia, "Jain Vinay" Mill Press, Surat (मुद्रक: मूलचन्द किसनदाल कापड़िया, "जैन विनय" मिल प्रेस-सूरत).

III. Foreword (भूमिका) and Dedication (निवेदन):

• Foreword (Page 5): The author expresses the long-felt need for Jain history textbooks due to the emphasis on education within the Jain community. He notes past efforts by various societies that were unsuccessful. He highlights the importance of a book collecting ancient Jain history, derived from "Prathmanuyog" (first-level scriptural texts). Surajmal Jain, identifying himself as a humble servant of Jainism, undertook this task, acknowledging his limitations as a historian and writer but hoping the community will embrace his effort. He aimed to include historical details desired by scholars and make it useful for students. He admits the current effort might have errors but hopes it will pave the way for future, more complete works.
• Second Edition Dedication (Page 6): The author expresses gratitude for the positive reception of the first edition and its adoption by Jain institutions. He encourages other institutions to include it to inform students about their glorious past. Thanks are extended to Shri Mulchand Kisandas Kapadia for his support in publishing the second edition.

IV. Notes and Explanations (सूचना):

• Page 7:
  • On Similar Events: The author explains that many prominent Jain figures (Tirthankaras, Chakravartis, etc.) share similar life events (e.g., Panch Kalyanaks for Tirthankaras, Digvijayas for Chakravartis). To avoid repetition and maintain reader interest, common events are described once for a particular figure, with a comprehensive explanation for all similar events provided in an appendix. Teachers are advised to read the appendix before teaching the book.
  • Units of Measurement:
    • One "Kos" is equivalent to 2,000 "Vats" (times four), making it 8,000 Vats. (Note: The text states "a mile is 1760 Vats," implying a comparison to modern units, but then defines a Kos in Jain terms).
    • One "Purvang" is equivalent to 84 lakh years.
    • The square of a Purvang is one "Poorva."

V. Table of Contents (विषयसुची):

• Pages 8-11 list the chapters and their corresponding page numbers. The content covers:
  • Introduction, Dedication, Notes.
  • Geographical Context: India's place in Jain geography.
  • Cosmic History: The beginning of Earth's history according to Jainism.
  • Time Cycles: Rules of time changes in Bharat Kshetra (the continent of Bharat).
  • Early History and Kulankaras: The beginning of history and the fourteen Kulankaras ( Manu-like figures).
  • Nabhiraya and the Start of Karmabhumi: The fourteenth Kulankara and the beginning of the era of action.
  • Bhagwan Rishabh: The first Tirthankara and the "Yugadi Purush" (man of the era).
  • Bharat Chakravarti: The first Chakravarti.
  • Prince Bahubali: The first "Kamadeva" (god of love).
  • Maharaja Jaykumar and Maharani Mulochana.
  • Other prominent figures of the Rishabh era.
  • Various Tirthankaras: From Ajitnath to Pushpadant, Shitalnath, Shreyansnath.
  • Narayanas and Pratinarayanas: Ashwagriva, Trishpristha, Baldeva, Vijay.
  • Vasupujya Tirthankara.
  • Appendices: Mention of diagrams of the three worlds, Jambudvipa, present-day India, Samavasharan, similar life events of Tirthankaras, Chakravartis, Narayanas, Pratinarayanas, and Tirthankara symbols.
  • Discrepancies: Mention of differences in opinion among Puranic writers.
  • Vidyadharas: Information about Vidyadharas.

VI. Chapters (Selected Highlights):

• Chapter 1: India's Place in Jain Geography (Page 13): Explains the Jain concept of continents and highlights the "Arya Khand" (region of civilized people), which includes current India and other continents like Europe.
• Chapter 2: Beginning of Earth's History According to Jainism (Page 14-20):
  • Contrasts modern historians' theories about the origins of Indian civilization (Aryans arriving from Central Asia) with Jain historical accounts.
  • Jainism posits an incredibly ancient history, beyond numerical calculation.
  • It critiques the notion that color (darkness) defines "Anarya" (uncivilized) and challenges the limited timeframe (4-5 thousand years ago) proposed by some modern historians.
  • It aligns with the idea that the world is eternal, hence history is also eternal.
• Chapter 3: Rules of Time Changes in Bharat Kshetra (Page 21-26):
  • Explains the Jain concept of cosmic time cycles: "Utsarpini" (upward progression) and "Avasarpini" (downward progression).
  • Each cycle is divided into six parts, characterized by gradual changes in lifespan, height, happiness, and morality.
  • Details the characteristics of each of the six parts of Avasarpini (descending time), starting with the "Sukh-Sukhama" (most blissful) and ending with "Dukh-Dukhama" (most suffering).
  • It clarifies that "real history" begins in the third part of the descending cycle (Sukh-Dukhama), with the emergence of Kulankaras.
  • The current era is identified as the fifth part of Avasarpini.
• Chapter 4: Beginning of History and the Fourteen Kulankaras (Page 27-32):
  • Describes the genesis of history with the first Kulankara, Pratishruti, who guided humans when the light of the wish-fulfilling trees dimmed.
  • Lists the fourteen Kulankaras, detailing their roles in guiding humanity through various stages, like establishing property boundaries, teaching the use of plants, developing arts, and establishing social order.
  • Explains the progressively stricter forms of punishment for wrongdoing implemented by later Kulankaras.
• Chapter 5: Maharaja Nabhiraya and the Beginning of Karmabhumi (Page 33-38):
  • Nabhiraya, the 14th Kulankara, presided over the transition from "Bhogabhumi" (era of enjoyment, where wish-fulfilling trees provided sustenance) to "Karmabhumi" (era of action, requiring effort for livelihood).
  • Describes how Nabhiraya taught people to utilize plants for food and provided utensils.
  • His wife, Marudevi, saw sixteen auspicious dreams before the birth of Bhagwan Rishabh, the first Tirthankara.
  • Details the divine creation of the beautiful city of Ayodhya for Nabhiraya and Marudevi, and the celestial events preceding Rishabh's conception.
• Chapter 6: Yugadi Purush Bhagwan Rishabh (Page 38-58):
  • This chapter extensively details the life of the first Tirthankara, Bhagwan Rishabhdev.
  • It covers his birth, the divine celebrations (Panch Kalyanaks), his upbringing by deities, his development of knowledge and skills, his marriage to Yashaswati and Sunanda, and the birth of his 100 children.
  • Highlights his role in establishing the foundational arts and sciences, including the alphabet and numbering systems, and his teaching of his daughters, Brahmi and Sundari, emphasizing female education.
  • Describes the organization of society by Rishabhdev, including the establishment of professions that led to the Varna system (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra).
  • Details his reign as Emperor, his renunciation for spiritual pursuit, his rigorous penance, and the attainment of Kevalgyan (omniscience).
  • Describes the Samavasharan (divine assembly hall), its structure, and the diverse audience, including humans, animals, and deities, who received his teachings.
  • Mentions his eighty-four Ganadharas (chief disciples), with Rishabhsen being the foremost.
  • Details his preachings, his eventual departure to Kailash Parvat, and his Moksha (liberation).
• Chapter 7: Bharat Chakravarti (Page 59-77):
  • Focuses on the life of Bharat, the eldest son of Bhagwan Rishabhdev and the first Chakravarti of this era.
  • Explains that India is named after him.
  • Details his immense strength, his training by Rishabhdev, and his extensive Digvijaya (conquest of the world).
  • Narrates his conflict with his brother Bahubali, their three duels, and Bahubali's subsequent renunciation.
  • Describes Bharat's vast kingdom, his numerous queens, his divine treasures, and the detailed administration of his empire.
  • Highlights his virtuous nature and his practice of meditation even while ruling.
  • Discusses his foundation of the "Brahmin" varna through his charitable acts and the foresight of its future decline.
• Chapter 8: Prince Bahubali (First Kamadeva) (Page 78-80):
  • Details Bahubali's physical beauty (earning him the title of Kamadeva), his status as a "Charam Shariri" (one destined for liberation in this life).
  • Describes his refusal to submit to his brother Bharat, their duels, and Bahubali's subsequent renunciation and attainment of Kevalgyan.
  • Mentions his rigorous penance, including the "Pratima Yoga" (standing in one place for a year), where vines grew around him.
• Chapter 9: Maharaja Jaykumar and Maharani Mulochana (Page 80-83):
  • Covers the story of Jaykumar, a Mahamandaleshwara (great regional ruler), his marriage to Sulochana, and his involvement in Bharat's Digvijaya.
  • It also touches upon his interaction with a Nagini and his role in a significant battle.
• Chapter 10: Various Figures of the Rishabh Era (Page 83-86):
  • Lists and briefly describes significant individuals from Rishabhdev's time, including founders of lineages like Harivansh, Nathvansh, Ugrvansh, and Kuruvansh.
  • Mentions figures like Shreyans (who offered the first alms to Rishabhdev), Anantvirya (the first to attain Moksha from this era), Shruthkirtti (first lay follower), and various ministers and royal family members.
• Chapter 11: Various Matters of the Rishabh Era (Page 87-88):
  • Provides details about the geography encountered during Bharat's Digvijaya, listing names of rivers and mountains.
  • Mentions the participation of women from noble families in agricultural activities during Bharat's reign.
• Chapters 12-27: These chapters detail the lives of subsequent Tirthankaras (Ajitnath, Sambhavnath, Abhinandan Swami, Sumatinath, Padmaprabhu, Suparshvanath, Chandraprabhu, Pushpadant, Shitalnath, Shreyansnath) and important figures like Pratinarayana Ashwagriva, Narayan Trishpristha and Baldeva Vijay, Tirthankara Vasupujya, and Pratinarayana Tarak. Each chapter follows a similar structure: birth details, parents, lineage, lifespan, physical attributes, early life, marriage (if any), renunciation, penance, attainment of Kevalgyan, Samavasharan assembly, spiritual achievements, and Moksha.
  • Key features highlighted for each Tirthankara: Their parentage, city of origin, lifespan, physical stature, the duration of their princely life and reign, their wedding, the event that sparked renunciation, the nature of their penance, the type of knowledge attained, and the details of their Samavasharan and the composition of the fourfold sangha (monks, nuns, male lay followers, female lay followers).

VII. Appendices:

• Appendix "Gha": Description of the Samavasharan (Page 118-135): Provides a detailed architectural description of the divine assembly hall, including its various levels, gates, gardens, palaces for deities, stupas, and the central "Gandhakuti" (sanctum) housing the Tirthankara. It emphasizes the consistent structure across all Tirthankaras, with variations only in height from the earth.
• Appendix "Cha": The Four Kalyanaks and Fifteen Atishayas (Page 130-135): Elaborates on the five auspicious events in a Tirthankara's life (Garbha, Janma, Tap, Gyan, Nirvan) and their associated divine celebrations orchestrated by celestial beings. It also lists the ten physical attributes (Atishayas) of a Tirthankara's body and the fourteen divine attributes manifested by celestial beings during these events.
• Appendix "Chha": Similarities in the Lives of Chakravartis, Narayanas, Pratinarayanas, etc. (Page 136-138): Explains common traits and possessions among these powerful historical figures, such as their lifespan, physical characteristics, royal wealth, divine treasures, and the unwavering devotion between Narayana and Baldeva.
• Appendix "Ja": Differences in Opinions Among Puranic Writers (Page 138-141): Discusses variations in historical accounts between prominent Jain Puranic authors like Jinendraswami (Adi Purana), Harivansh Purana, and Padmapurana, particularly regarding dates, names of queens, origins of lineages, and the establishment of the Brahmin varna.
• Appendix "Jha": Vidyadharas (Page 141-143): Explains the concept of Vidyadharas, beings residing in the mountains of Vinayadhara, who possessed extraordinary powers, could fly in aerial vehicles, and used their "Vidyas" (supernatural knowledge/powers) for warfare and creation. It describes their origins, their interactions with earthly beings, and the types of warfare they engaged in.

Overall Purpose: "Prachin Jain Itihas 01" aims to provide a comprehensive and foundational account of early Jain history, cosmology, and the lives of key figures, particularly the Tirthankaras and Chakravartis, based on Jain scriptural traditions. It seeks to present a historical narrative that often diverges from mainstream historical interpretations, emphasizing the spiritual and cosmic dimensions of Jain teachings.