Punarjanma

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Punarjanma" by Bhushan Shah, focusing on the provided pages:

The book "Punarjanma" (Rebirth) by Bhushan Shah, published by Mission Jainatva Jagaran, explores the concept of reincarnation through the lens of Jain philosophy. The initial pages introduce the work and then delve into compelling accounts of individuals who exhibited memories and behaviors from past lives.

Key Themes and Narratives:

• Dedication to a Guru: The book is dedicated to Pt. Udayratnavijayji M. Sa., acknowledging his inspirational role in bringing the author into the field of writing.

• The Parrot's Rebirth (A Story of Siddharaj Dhadha):

  • The Inciting Incident: The story begins about 76 years prior in Palitana, a significant Jain pilgrimage site. A family resting in the temple courtyard overheard the daughter-in-law express a wish to take a pair of parrots from a nearby tree home.
  • The Birth of Siddharaj: A year later, the daughter-in-law gave birth to a son. When the boy was two and a half years old, the family visited the Adinath temple in Walukeshwar, Bombay. The child stared intently at the idol, claiming to have seen it before. His father dismissed it as imagination.
  • Past Life Memories Emerge: The family returned to Palitana a year later. The child then explicitly stated that he used to live there as a parrot. He described how, after visitors left, he would sneak into the temple through the bars of the closed doors and apply kesar (saffron) to the idol with his feet. He recognized the Walukeshwar idol as identical to the one in Palitana. The mother then recalled her earlier desire to bring home one of the parrots.
  • Continuity of Devotion: The text posits that this parrot was reborn as the child, Siddharaj Dhadha, born on February 12, 1909. Now 85 years old, Siddharaj Dhadha has dedicated his human life to serving the poor, mirroring the devotional acts he performed as a parrot. The author emphasizes that the devotion and the act of worship have continued across lifetimes.

• A Child's Memories (Father's Account of Siddharaj Dhadha):

  • A Grandmother's Wish: The author's (Siddharaj Dhadha's father, Gulabchand Dhadha) mother had a strong desire to see her great-grandchild before she passed away.
  • Pre-Birth Naming and Customs: Four years later, she gathered the family and expressed her faith that her wish would be fulfilled. She asked for their opinions on naming the child. A ten-year-old girl suggested the child be named after the holy "Siddhachalji" (Palitana). She also outlined traditional customs to be followed, such as climbing a golden ladder (which was then to be donated), feeding relatives, distributing sweets, and making offerings at temples.
  • The Naming of Siddharaj: The father, Gulabchand Dhadha, suggested combining the first part of "Siddhachalji" ("Siddh") with his mother's name, Rajkunwar, to name the child 'Siddhraj Kumar.' This was accepted.
  • Siddharaj's Birth and Early Signs: Siddharaj was born in February 1909. The father, returning from Calcutta, held the infant on the 10th or 11th day after his birth. The baby, who was crying incessantly, suddenly stopped when his grandmother sang a lullaby containing the word "Siddhvad." This song became a soothing balm for the child whenever he was restless.
  • Early Spiritual Inclinations: From 1909 to 1914, Siddharaj, even as a young child of three, participated in samayik (a Jain meditation practice) with his father and elder brother. He learned the samayik prayers, visited temples, and performed puja, even reciting verses about the nine limbs of Jainism.
  • The Walukeshwar Encounter: In 1911, while visiting the Walukeshwar Jain temple with family members, the child declared that the Adinath idol there was smaller than the one in Palitana. When questioned, he insisted he had worshipped that idol in a previous life as a parrot living in "Siddhvad." His aunt dismissed it, but the child's insistence led them to eventually consider a trip to Palitana. He even saved money for this purpose.

• The Journey to Palitana and Verification:

  • A Test of Memory: In late 1911, the father, suffering from a severe cough, traveled towards Palitana. Along the way, he tested the child's recollection by claiming they had arrived at Palitana when they were merely at Palghar, which had hills. The child consistently corrected him, confirming his past-life memories.
  • Public Fascination: Upon reaching Wadhwan camp, where they stayed for two months, the child's religious practices and pronouncements attracted significant attention. News of his past-life memories spread like wildfire, drawing around 15,000 people from Gujarat and Kathiawad to see him. Some elderly women even walked 40 miles and broke their fasts after seeing him, posing questions about his past and future lives.

• Witnesses and Validation:

  • The Magistrate's Inquiry: A magistrate from the Maurvi Railway met with Siddharaj and conducted a thorough examination. The child's detailed and accurate descriptions of Palitana, the "Siddhvad" tree, the method of applying saffron with his claws (to avoid making it impure with his beak), and the temple's structure (number of temples, enclosure, and doors) impressed the magistrate greatly. The magistrate congratulated the father on having such a rare gem.
  • The Sadhvi's Questioning: Some Sthanakvasi nuns also met with the child. One nun questioned him about worshipping with saffron and flowers. The child's logical response, that if such actions were sinful, he wouldn't have been reborn as a human, silenced the nun.
  • Recognition of Jasmine Flowers: After recovering from an illness, the father ordered jasmine and rose flowers from Palitana. Upon opening the parcel, the child picked a jasmine flower and stated, "I used to worship Adinath Bhagwan with flowers like these."

• Arrival and Experience at Palitana:

  • Familiarity with the Sacred Mountain: In January 1912, the family arrived at Palitana. The child immediately recognized the surrounding hills, exclaiming they were near the sacred mountain. At Sehore station, while changing trains, he turned towards the mountain and bowed with great joy.
  • Emotional Connection to the Holy Ground: Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the child performed a full prostration, embracing the land with profound affection. He rolled on the ground repeatedly, demonstrating an overwhelming emotional connection to the sacred site. He was eager to ascend immediately.
  • The Ascent: The next morning, the child, despite his father's offer of a palanquin (doli), insisted on walking. He viewed the climb not as three miles but as three flights of stairs and, holding his uncle's finger, started climbing with immense joy, leaving his father behind. He climbed with an almost hypnotic focus, unaware of the uneven terrain. Despite attempts by porters to carry him, he refused, even admonishing them for interfering.
  • Devotion During the Climb: Even at a steep section called "Hinglaj ka Hada," where travelers typically rest, the child pressed on without stopping. He reached the summit ("Rampol") 15 minutes before his father, driven by an intense desire to see and worship Adinath Bhagwan.
  • Worship at Palitana: The child identified three of the five places of worship as familiar from his past life. In the main temple, he pointed to the principal idol of Adinath Bhagwan, stating he had worshipped Him in his previous life. He then entered a state of deep kayotsarga (meditative standing posture), eyes fixed on the idol, remaining oblivious to the surroundings for nearly half an hour. This deep meditation astonished onlookers. He also recognized an old priest who used to place saffron for the small marble elephant, from which the parrot would take the saffron for his worship.
  • First Worship and Devotion: The child participated in the first puja by bidding with his savings for flowers and garlands, expressing immense joy at being able to worship his Lord again in a human form.
  • Daily Vows: For his 31-day stay, the child abstained from food and water until he completed his worship of Adinath Bhagwan daily, confirming his resolve with Muni Kapoorvijiji.
  • Testing His Resolve: When asked to eat before descending, he playfully asked if his uncle was hungry, stating he was satisfied with the opportunity to worship. He refused the palanquin and insisted on walking down, even admonishing others for drinking water on the sacred mountain. He consumed his first meal of the day only after reaching the धर्मशाला at 2:30 PM.
  • Public Acclaim: Similar to Wadhwan, thousands of travelers flocked to meet him in Palitana, testing his memories and receiving satisfactory answers.

• Confirmation of the Parrot's Nest: The travelers at Palitana insisted on seeing the parrot's nest. Approximately a thousand people accompanied the child, who showed them the branch where the nest was located, satisfying everyone.

• The Child's Discipline: During his 31 days in Palitana, the child walked daily, covering about 8 miles of climbing and descending. He ascended without food or water, eating only after descending. His worship was performed with immense purity of mind and deep meditation.

• Opinions on the Origin of Memory:

  • Muni Hans Vijayji: Believed the child acquired jatismaran gyan (knowledge of past lives) when his father held him and sang a Palitana bhajan, and that this memory was fully triggered upon seeing the Walukeshwar idol.
  • Muni Kapoor Vijayji: Agreed that jatismaran occurred on the 10th day of his birth when he heard the Palitana bhajan. However, due to his infancy, he couldn't express it until he saw the similarity of the Walukeshwar idol to his past life.

• Further Testimonials:

  • Shri Purnachandra Jain: Acknowledges that the child possessed jatismaran gyan at age three. He notes that after investigation and confirmation, the child stated he was a parrot in a tree hollow in Palitana. The family, guided by elders and advice from monks, took him to Palitana, where discussions and visits to the identified locations seemingly confirmed his story. He suggests that the name "Siddharaj" might have been chosen due to this past-life connection, as the child's future was indeed bright, fulfilling the saying "signs of a son appear in childhood."
  • Personal Reflection on the Dhadha Family: The author reflects on his own admiration for Shri Gulabchand Dhadha's personality, wisdom, and social contributions, which in turn fostered his own respect and curiosity for Siddharaj Dhadha. He highlights the strong friendship that developed between him and Siddharaj.
  • The Impact of Flower Worship: The text emphasizes that the story serves as a living example for atheists and those who distrust idol worship, showing how a parrot attained a valuable human birth through the power of flower worship. It mentions the Dhadha family's high status and privilege.
  • The Principle of Devotion: The text quotes a proverb: "Do Dharma when you are young, before old age, when healthy, before illness, and while the senses are strong."

• Evidence for Idol Worship in Jainism:

  • The latter part of the extract presents numerous scriptural references (Thanaanga Sutra, Samavayaanga Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra, Upasaka Dasanga Sutra, Rajapraseniya Sutra, Jnaatadharmasutra, Jivaabhigama Sutra, Antakrit Sutra) supporting the practice of idol worship and temple construction throughout Jain history, citing examples of ancient idols and temples built by prominent figures.
  • It highlights that ancient Jain texts mention the presence and worship of Jina idols and that many souls have attained liberation from holy places like Shatrunjaya and Ashtapad, where temples were built and worship was performed.
  • Examples include the 11 lakh-year-old idol of Kesariya Ji, idols made by Nandi vardhan, the construction of thousands of idols by Vimal Mantri, and ancient temples at Girnar, Pavapuri, and Taranga.
  • It also mentions the founder of the Oswal community, Ratnaprabhasurishwarji M. Sa., who lived 2450 years ago.

• Unified View on Idol Worship:

  • The text asserts that all sects are united on the acceptance of idol worship, referencing the initial salutation in the Bhagavati Sutra as a form of veneration for scriptures.
  • It lists examples of murti (idols) or paduka (footprints) of revered Jain monks and Acharyas in modern times (e.g., Acharya Bharmalji Swami, Acharya Mishrimalji M. Madhukar, Muni Shri Harshchandraji M., Muni Shri Jeevanmalji Swami).
  • The importance of idol worship is likened to the necessity of oxygen for life, stating its ancient acceptance.

• The Practice of Muhapatti:

  • The text discusses the practice of muhapatti (a cloth worn over the mouth by monks and nuns). It states that Tirthankaras and Gautam Swami did not tie muhapatti.
  • It mentions that the new custom of tying muhapatti was introduced by Lavji Swami in Vikram Samvat 1708.

• Conclusion on Temple Visits:

  • The book concludes with a quote from Acharya Tulsi, who stated that he always visits temples and finds great joy in worshipping. The reader is encouraged to also find happiness in daily darshan and puja at Jain temples.

In essence, "Punarjanma" uses the extraordinary case of Siddharaj Dhadha, who recollected his past life as a parrot, to illustrate the Jain doctrine of rebirth. It provides detailed accounts of his childhood memories, the validation of these memories through journeys and examinations, and underscores the continuity of devotion across lifetimes. The book also serves as an advocacy for idol worship within Jainism, citing scriptural evidence and historical examples.