Pravasna Ketlak Anubhavo

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Pravasna Ketlak Anubhavo" (Some Travel Experiences) by Sukhlal Sanghavi, focusing on the content presented in the excerpt:

The author, Sukhlal Sanghavi, embarks on a journey to Calcutta. His primary motivations are a long-held desire to revisit the familiar city of Kashi and to meet his respected academic guru. Without these incentives, he wouldn't have pursued the trip despite his friends' urging and his own inclination. He departs on March 16th.

Reflections on Train Travel and Social Observations:

Sanghavi acknowledges that descriptions of train travel feel repetitive but emphasizes that the three-day experience offers valuable insights, particularly into the Indian social fabric. He finds reading books on a moving train challenging and dislikes wasting time without any intellectual nourishment.

Observation 1: The Age of Marriage and Societal Hypocrisy

He recounts learning from newspapers about the recent marriage of Kanubhai M.A., a well-educated lawyer and head of an education department in Dhavalpur, who married at the age of fifty (later revealed to be fifty-seven). Sanghavi laments this as a misfortune for Hindu society, given the prevalent age of marriage for girls (rarely exceeding fifteen) and the strong societal restrictions on remarriage, along with the purdah system.

However, he notes a positive aspect in Kanubhai's response. When questioned by friends, Kanubhai candidly admitted his weakness and shamefully acknowledged his mistake of condemning a young girl to a lifetime of imprisonment solely for lust.

Observation 2: A Case of Elderly Marriage and Justification

Sanghavi then contrasts this with an experience on the train. He meets a well-off businessman from Siddhpur, an Audichya Brahmin who has been living and trading in Calcutta for years. This man, despite having a surviving first wife and his second wife having died the previous year, married a third time. He states his age as fifty-four (though Sanghavi perceives him to be older).

The Siddhpur man shares his reasoning for this marriage, which Sanghavi summarizes as follows:

• Urgency of a Girl's Marriage: He was informed unexpectedly that a girl had been prepared for him, and he had to choose her. Despite shortcomings (described as "blind" and "one-eyed"), he proceeded. He even made a legal agreement with the girl's elders that he would not be obligated to support her if she turned out to be blind.
• Parental and Societal Pressure: He justified the marriage by stating that the girl's parents and relatives were desperate to marry her off due to her passing the prime age for marriage, compounded by her being "blind" (referring to a physical defect, possibly in her eyes). He believes he has done her a great service by saving her from a life of misery and social condemnation.
• Desire for Offspring and Companionship: He also mentioned the need to raise the young daughter of his deceased second wife and the concern for the continuation of his lineage. He believes that wealth should be utilized, and in old age, apart from personal services, a wife offers the best companionship. He also suggests that if the wife is not very beautiful, it is preferable as she will be less demanding and content with basic sustenance.

Sanghavi is struck by the man's enthusiasm and conviction. He contrasts Kanubhai's acceptance of weakness with the Siddhpur man's skillful and forceful defense of his actions, even portraying it as an act of philanthropy.

Philosophical Interlude: Sanskar, Intellect, and Action

Sanghavi uses these instances to illustrate a principle: "Vartmanu re gali su karma" (current tendencies guide one's actions). He explains that sanskar (tendencies/impressions) influence a person's inclination, and their buddhi (intellect) then justifies and elaborates on that tendency. If the sanskar is good, the intellect supports it, leading to respect. If the sanskar is weak, the intellect may win arguments but not earn respect; such people are termed "clever." He categorizes the Siddhpur man as one of these clever individuals, sometimes operating with practical acumen. He further suggests that if intellect is not refined, efforts may not yield positive results, but when intellect is pure and coupled with effort, it leads to greatness, citing "Mahatmas" (great souls) as examples.

Return to Kashi and Meeting the Guru:

Upon returning from Shantiniketan, Sanghavi receives confirmation that his respected guru, Dhruv Saheb, is in Kashi and expects him to stay at his residence. This intensifies his eagerness to visit Kashi. He initially intends to visit an ashram of a young yogi named Kripalani but learns he is not there.

He reaches Dhruv Saheb's bungalow near the Hindu University. Despite Dhruv Saheb not feeling well due to his recent arrival from Madras, Sanghavi is deeply satisfied by his warm hospitality. He expresses his immense joy in reconnecting with students and scholars after a long time, especially with his learned and open-minded guru. Dhruv Saheb's affectionate greeting upon seeing him ("Forgive me,Sukhlal, forgive me...") overwhelms him. They then engage in discussions about studies, research outcomes, and ongoing work.

The Guru's Dedication and Kashi's Significance:

Sanghavi elaborates on his guru, Dhruv Saheb, who heads the Sanskrit department at the Hindu University. He is a renowned scholar of all Vedic philosophies and holds a prominent position among scholars he has met. Dhruv Saheb is deeply engrossed in his studies and writing, often neglecting basic needs like meals. Sanghavi views this as a testament to the intensity of his devotion to knowledge. He advises his guru to reduce his teaching load, which Dhruv Saheb accepts.

For Sanghavi, the presence of such scholars like Dhruv Saheb and other pandits is the true essence of Kashi. He states that even if Kashi possessed other features like the Ganges flowing north or memorials to Buddha, or other artistic crafts, he would not consider it a pilgrimage site without its intellectual and scholastic heritage. Kashi's significance, for him, lies in its role as a protector of Indian scriptural knowledge; without this, its other attributes are available elsewhere.

Jain Students and Scholarship in Kashi:

Sanghavi also encounters a small group of Jain students at the university from different regions, pursuing various subjects. They discuss current studies, nationalism, the present state of the Jain community, and minor disputes within its various sects. He notes that some of these students receive scholarships, a practice also enjoyed by Jains, Shakah, and Kayasthas. He is informed that hundreds of such scholarships are awarded in Kashi. He questions how many in India utilize wealth for pure academic pursuits in this manner.

A Melancholy Departure from Kashi:

The next morning, Sanghavi visits the Nagari Pracharini Sabha but finds the office closed due to Ramanavami. He journeys through narrow, once-unpleasant lanes to the minister's residence. He finds that his past familiarity and the pleasure of old memories overcome any aversion to these lanes. He reflects on how experiences that were once painful or bothersome can become pleasant in retrospect.

Although Dhruv Saheb cordially insists he stay another day, Sanghavi cannot leave Kashi without visiting the banks of the Ganges, where he spent years studying and reviewing numerous texts. He visits a Jain temple by the river for just two minutes, experiencing a mix of happiness and sadness. He then departs for Agra. He ponders whether he will return, if it's appropriate for him to stay, and the possibility of fulfilling his promise to his guru to return as a student and absorb his profound knowledge with a new perspective. These questions weigh on him as he boards the train for Agra.

Engagement in Agra for Mahavir Jayanti:

Agra, where Sanghavi had previously lived for four years, is filled with many friends. These friends belong to three different sects within the Jain community. With Mahavir Jayanti approaching, there are joint efforts underway to celebrate the festival. His sudden arrival presents a dilemma: postponing arrangements is possible, but friend's invitations and affections cannot be ignored.

Festivals for the Arya Samaj, Muslims, and Sanatanis have recently occurred or are scheduled. A delay in their own celebrations would be seen as a decline in religious practice. The Jain youth are enthusiastic about organizing volunteer groups and strengthening the Jain community. They request Sanghavi to speak on the life of Lord Mahavir, volunteerism, and community organization.

Sanghavi expresses his concern about his suitability to speak to the united community, given his background as a Sthanakvasi, his familiarity with Murtipujak sects, and his close contact with Digambaras. He notes that many perceive him as belonging to their sect or as an outsider. He elaborates on these differing perceptions, highlighting how each sect views him, leading him to feel equally connected to all and yet not exclusively to any single one. He asks if his address would be appropriate in such a context. The youth assure him they are prepared for it and that the effort is for the youth. With this assurance, he agrees to speak and decides on the topic: "Jain Dharm nu Hriday Shu Chhe?" (What is the Heart of Jainism?).

The discussion on this topic was scheduled for an hour and a half on the day of departure, a detail he acknowledges cannot be adequately conveyed in a brief summary. He hopes to present his thoughts more systematically on another occasion.

Concluding Remarks on the Narrative:

Sanghavi concludes by stating that, much like his hurried journey, this description has also been written with great haste. He admits that many points have been omitted, shortened, or presented out of order, hoping these shortcomings will be understood.