Pratyekbuddh Charitram

The provided text is a Jain religious scripture titled "Pratyekbuddh Charitram" (The Deeds of the Pratyekabuddhas). It is published by Jain Dharm Vidya Prasarak Varg. The catalog link directs to jainqq.org, specifically to the item "036472". The publication date is given as Vir Samvat 2446, Vikram Samvat 1976, and the year 1930 CE. The price is mentioned as Rs. 6.

The text itself is a narrative about the lives and deeds of the Pratyekabuddhas, individuals who attain enlightenment through their own efforts without the guidance of a teacher, and then often retreat into solitude. The summary below is based on the content visible in the provided pages, which mainly focuses on the initial stories and the beginning of a narrative:

Key Themes and Content:

• Salutations and Devotion: The text begins with traditional Jain salutations to Jinendra (Lord Jina), Sri Charitravijay Guru, and other revered figures. It expresses devotion to the Tirthankaras and specifically praises Lord Mahavir.
• Purpose of the Text: The author states that the text aims to narrate the lives of the Pratyekabuddhas for the sake of encouraging renunciation and spiritual detachment (Vairagya). The author humbly admits their own limited intellect in undertaking this task.
• Definition of Pratyekabuddha: A Pratyekabuddha is defined as someone who attains enlightenment ("prabuddha") by understanding a single cause or principle ("ekam karanam drishtva") on their own. The text also suggests that there are as many Pratyekabuddhas in a Tirthankara's dispensation as there are disciples initiated by the Tirthankara.
• Initiation of Stories: The text then delves into specific narratives, starting with a story involving four individuals who attain enlightenment by observing elements of nature: Indra Ketu, Valaya, and Amra tree.
• The Story of Karakamuha and Padmavati: The narrative then focuses on "Karakamuha," one of the Pratyekabuddhas, and introduces King Dadivahana and Queen Padmavati from the city of Champa.
  • Queen Padmavati experiences a dream and develops a strong craving (dohada) to go to a lake.
  • The king agrees, and they embark on a journey to the forest.
  • During the journey, they encounter various events, including the elephant becoming agitated and unruly, and the queen following the king's instructions.
  • The story involves encountering wild animals (tigers, lions), the queen's fear, and her eventual resolve to practice dharma (righteousness) amidst adversity.
  • There's a significant emphasis on the queen's spiritual fortitude and her seeking refuge in Jain principles, meditating on the Tirthankaras, and practicing repentance and self-purification.
• Encounter with a Tapasvi (Ascetic): Padmavati, lost and afraid, encounters an ascetic. She explains her plight to the ascetic, who offers words of wisdom about the nature of suffering and the impermanence of worldly attachments.
• The Story of Angasens and Jitasena: The narrative shifts to a story about two brothers, Angasena and Jitasena, who are wealthy merchants. They are deceived by a merchant and embark on a sea journey that leads to a shipwreck. They are separated and face various trials, including encountering a deserted city, a demoness, and the brothers' eventual discovery of a treasure and their own potential for spiritual realization.
• The Story of Ratnapura and the Demoness: The text describes a city named Ratnapura, inhabited by people who are later destroyed by a demoness who assumes the form of a beautiful maiden. This demoness lures and kills people, a narrative that appears to be a cautionary tale.
• The Importance of Righteous Conduct: Throughout these early stories, there's an underlying theme of the importance of righteous conduct, detachment from worldly desires, and the power of spiritual practice and devotion in overcoming difficulties.
• The Pratyekabuddha Theme: The narratives are woven with the idea of individuals who, through their own understanding and efforts, transcend suffering and attain enlightenment, often prompted by specific incidents or insights.

Overall Impression:

"Pratyekbuddh Charitram" appears to be a collection of edifying stories illustrating the path to spiritual realization in Jainism. The narratives emphasize the cycle of birth and death, the illusory nature of worldly pleasures, the importance of ethical conduct, and the ultimate liberation achieved through asceticism and spiritual discipline. The text uses a traditional narrative style, often invoking verses and poetic language to convey its message. The initial chapters seem to focus on establishing the concept of Pratyekabuddhas and then illustrating it through the exemplary lives of individuals who faced significant worldly challenges and found spiritual solace and liberation.