Pruthvichandra Ane Gunsagar 21 Bhavno Sneh Sambandh

This book, "Pruthvichandra Ane Gunsagar 21 Bhavno Sneh Sambandh" (The Affectionate Relationship of Pruthvichandra and Gunsagar Through 21 Lifetimes), authored by Smita P. Shah and published by Jamnabhai Bhagubhai Religious Trust, is a Jain religious text that retells the story of Pṛthvichandra and Guṇasāgar over their past 21 lives.

The narrative begins with an introduction praising Lord Parshvanatha. The story then traces the journey of two souls, Pṛthvichandra and Guṇasāgar, through their human and divine existences, highlighting their evolving relationship and the spiritual lessons learned in each life.

The text details Pṛthvichandra's previous lives, starting from the first life as Prince Shank and Queen Kalavati, followed by their rebirth as divine beings in Saudharma heaven. Subsequent lives include those of King Kamalasen and Queen Guṇasena, as divine beings in the fifth heaven, King Divesinh and Queen Kanaka Sundari, and as divine friends in Mahashukra heaven. The narrative continues through lives as King Divarath and Queen Ratnavali, divine friends in Anant heaven, King Pūrṇachandra and Queen Pushpasundari, divine friends in Arana heaven, King Shurasen and Queen Muktavali, divine friends in the first Raivyak heaven, King Padmyottara and the Vidyadhara King Hariveg, divine friends in the middle Raivyak heaven, King Girisundar and Prince Ratnasagar, and as divine friends in the ninth Raivyak heaven. The story further elaborates on their lives as King Nakshudar and Prince Jayasundar, as divine beings in the Vijay Vimana, King Kusumanayudha and King Kusumketu, and finally as Prince Pruthvichandra and the merchant's son Guṇasagar.

A significant portion of the book focuses on the events in the last life, where Prince Pruthvichandra and Guṇasagar are born as friends, possessing innate knowledge of past lives. Despite their worldly attachments, including their marriages to 16 princesses and 8 daughters of merchants respectively, they both attain Kevalgyan (omniscience) in their householder lives due to intense detachment and the purity of their thoughts. Their wives and parents also attain Kevalgyan through increased renunciation.

The book emphasizes the importance of renunciation, virtues, and spiritual practice in overcoming worldly desires and attaining liberation. It uses these past lives as examples to illustrate the path towards spiritual enlightenment and the ultimate goal of Moksha (liberation). The author, Smita P. Shah, has compiled this simplified version to make the complex teachings accessible to a wider audience. The book is dedicated to the memory of Shri Mavji Savla (Kutch) and Dr. Dhanvant Shah (Mumbai).