Punarvatar

This is a summary of the Jain text "Punarvatar" based on the provided pages. It's important to note that the original text is in Gujarati, and this summary is based on an interpretation of the provided text, focusing on the narrative elements.

The book "Punarvatar" (meaning "Rebirth" or "Incarnation") is a collection of stories or essays, edited by Sushil and published by Jain Karyalay in Bhavnagar. The "Nivedan" (Preface) suggests that the book aims to revive and present old Jain stories, possibly previously published in Jain magazines, in a new format. It highlights the value of preserving and reintroducing classic literature, especially Jain narratives, which are seen as evolving and adapting to modern times while retaining their spiritual and ethical ideals. The preface also thanks the authors whose stories are featured.

Here's a summary of the individual stories and sections present in the provided pages:

1. Sheelavati: The Prostitute's Daughter (શીલવતી : વૈશ્યા કન્યા) This story begins with the narrator encountering a beautiful and well-spoken young woman in a serene, ancient setting near a water tank and temple ruins. Initially, the narrator assumes she is a respectable young lady. However, upon inquiring about her family, the truth is revealed: she is the daughter of a prostitute. The conversation then delves into the nature of prostitution, societal responsibility, and the challenges faced by women in such professions. The young woman displays remarkable intellect and philosophical understanding, discussing the complexities of morality, freedom, and societal judgment. She shares her life story, her mother's efforts to provide her with a better life, her education in a Christian institution due to lack of alternatives, and the subsequent hardships she faced after her mother's death, including difficulty finding employment and rejection in marriage proposals due to her background. The narrator engages in a deep dialogue with her about social reform, the role of women, and the path to self-respect and dignity. The story seems to advocate for empathy and understanding, suggesting that even in difficult circumstances, individuals can strive for a virtuous life.

2. Rudrapur's Ruin (રુદ્રપુરનું ખંડિયેર) This section appears to be a historical or folklore narrative about the fall of the city of Rudrapur. It describes a period of decline following the weakening of the Mughal empire. The ruling family of Rudrapur, though holding a royal charter, was known for its tyranny and arrogance. The story then shifts to the economic decline, the imposition of taxes by the "Company Sarkar" (likely the British East India Company), and the eventual takeover of the estate by a moneylender named Kuber Seth. The narrative highlights the miserliness and greed of Kuber Seth, his family dynamics (daughter Rangini and son-in-law Ratilal), and a chilling tale involving the planned sacrifice of a young child, Kirit Chandra, to create a "Yaksh" for wealth protection. Rangini, Kuber Seth's daughter, is portrayed as having a complex and potentially vengeful nature, especially regarding her husband, Ratilal, and the child. The story culminates in a fiery destruction, hinting at retribution for the wickedness.

3. Leelavati (લીલાવતી) This story focuses on an elderly scholar and his deep concern for his daughter, Leelavati. The scholar is depicted as being so engrossed in his studies and thoughts that he often forgets basic necessities like eating. Leelavati, a devoted and understanding daughter, cares for him. The scholar's primary worry is Leelavati's future, fearing she might become a widow due to unfavorable astrological predictions. He attempts to find a solution by marrying her to a specific type of man, but the attempt is fraught with difficulties and anxieties. The story explores the themes of parental love, fate, and the emotional toll of such worries. It also touches upon the traditional societal views on widowhood and the respect accorded to widows in ancient India, contrasting it with the perceived loss of that respect in later times. The narrative emphasizes the scholar's desire to see Leelavati secure and happy, even as he grapples with his own philosophical and worldly concerns.

4. The Chandal (ચાંડાલ) This section presents a stark contrast between rigid religious orthodoxy and a more inclusive, spiritual perspective. It begins with a Brahmin scholar, deeply committed to purity and the concept of untouchability, verbally abusing a Chandal (an outcaste) for bathing in the same river. The Brahmin's anger stems from his belief that purity resides in outward rituals and physical contact, equating untouchability with a greater sin than violence or deceit. The Chandal, however, calmly refutes the Brahmin's narrow interpretation, questioning the purity of river water shared with aquatic creatures and highlighting the hypocrisy of such beliefs. The story then shifts to the Brahmin's encounter with a large group of people who show immense reverence to the Chandal, revealing a deeper spiritual power associated with him. The Brahmin, humbled by this display, seeks the Chandal's wisdom. The Chandal, in turn, lays down a condition for teaching: the Brahmin must repeatedly acknowledge the Chandal's superiority and attribute all knowledge to him. The story then jumps to the Brahmin, now hailed as "Jagadguru" (World Teacher), demonstrating his acquired abilities, which are attributed to the Chandal's teaching and the Brahmin's adherence to the condition of humility. Later, the narrative shows the King of the land encountering the same Chandal, now revealed to be a celestial being (Vidyadhar Samrat Vidyutprabh) testing the King's (who is Jain) compassion and righteousness. The King's genuine empathy and commitment to Jain principles lead to the celestial being bestowing spiritual knowledge upon him.

5. Bharat Chakravarti (ભરત ચક્રવર્તી) This part tells the story of Emperor Bharat, the eldest son of the first Tirthankar, Lord Rishabhdeva. Initially appointed to rule for the welfare of his subjects, Bharat becomes consumed by ambition and the desire for conquest. He sets out to subdue his ninety-nine brothers and expand his empire. The narrative highlights the contrast between Bharat's worldly ambition and his brothers' spiritual inclination, who eventually choose the path of renunciation. The story details the epic struggle between Bharat and his powerful brother, Bahubali, over dominion. The conflict is portrayed as devastating, causing immense loss of life. Ultimately, after a fierce contest and a moment of realization, Bahubali renounces his claim, achieving spiritual liberation. Bharat, though victorious in the worldly sense, learns a profound lesson about the true nature of power and the impermanence of worldly glory. The story emphasizes the importance of spiritual pursuit over material conquest and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

6. Siddhi and Sadhana (સિદ્ધિ અને સાધના) This section seems to focus on the spiritual journeys of individuals. The first part describes Jinrajdas, a man in his late fifties, who, after achieving worldly success and seeing his children settled, experiences a profound sense of disillusionment with his past materialistic pursuits. He feels a void and a yearning for something deeper, a spiritual awakening. He begins to simplify his life, adopt vows of silence, and seek higher truth. His family struggles to understand his transformation, initially dismissing it as a phase. However, Jinrajdas becomes increasingly detached from worldly possessions and relationships, seeking an inner peace. The story reflects on the cyclical nature of life, the pursuit of knowledge versus wisdom, and the eventual realization of the futility of worldly achievements without spiritual fulfillment. The second part seems to continue this theme, describing the intense practices of renunciation, fasting, and introspection undertaken by individuals seeking spiritual realization. The narrative touches upon the struggles faced in detaching from worldly desires and the challenges of true spiritual practice.

7. Rudhir Snan (રુધિરસ્નાન) This story appears to be a cautionary tale about the consequences of attachment to worldly power and the pursuit of pleasure at any cost. It narrates the story of Maharaja Arvind, who, in his dying moments, is consumed by the fear of death and the desire to cling to life. Despite all medical efforts failing, he clings to a desperate hope. He expresses a desire to bathe in the Sita River to alleviate his suffering, a wish his son, Yuvraj Harichand, tries to fulfill. However, the Maharaja's illness is revealed to be linked to his sinful past actions. In a desperate attempt to appease his father, Harichand orchestrates a ritual involving a "blood bath" using animal blood, believing it to be the only way to satisfy his father's morbid craving. This leads to a tragic outcome, where the Maharaja's own greed and the manufactured "cure" ultimately contribute to his demise, highlighting the destructive nature of unchecked desires and the pursuit of unrighteous means.

8. Rajarshi Prasannachandra (રાજર્ષિ પ્રસન્નચંદ્ર) This narrative tells the story of Maharaja Prasannachandra of Potanpur, a righteous ruler who, despite his prosperous reign and contented life, experiences a profound sense of detachment from worldly affairs. He witnesses a fleeting moment of natural beauty (the changing colors of the clouds at sunset) that triggers a deep spiritual realization, leading him to renounce his kingdom and embrace asceticism. The story highlights the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures and the importance of spiritual pursuit. It also touches upon the responsibilities of a ruler, even in renunciation, as Prasannachandra worries about his young son and the security of his kingdom. The narrative then shifts to a discussion with Lord Mahavir, where King Shrenik inquires about the destination of Prasannachandra after his death. Lord Mahavir explains the concept of karma and the influence of one's thoughts and actions, even in deep meditation, on their rebirth, illustrating how Prasannachandra's momentary lapse of concentration due to concern for his son's kingdom momentarily led him to lower realms before ultimately achieving spiritual liberation through his profound renunciation and virtuous conduct.

9. Saunderaymurti Sanakumar (સૌંદર્યમૂર્તિ સનકુમાર) This section describes Sanakumar, a universally admired and exceptionally beautiful prince. His physical perfection is so renowned that it is discussed even among the gods. The story contrasts the natural beauty of humans with the more refined and perhaps artificial beauty of celestial beings. It highlights how even the most beautiful human form is ultimately composed of the same elements as the humblest creature, a fact that can lead to disillusionment. Sanakumar, after experiencing a profound realization about the impermanence of beauty and the inevitability of decay and death, renounces his worldly pleasures and kingdom to pursue asceticism. His intense austerities and self-discipline, despite his weakened physical state, are described as having a remarkable effect, leading him to spiritual attainment. The story emphasizes that true beauty and fulfillment lie in spiritual discipline and detachment from the material world.

10. Shastrarth Sabha (શાસ્ત્રાર્થ સભા) This is a narrative about a scholarly debate held in the city of Karnasuvarna. The king, fond of intellectual contests, establishes a platform for scholars to engage in debates on various philosophical, literary, and scientific topics. The winner gains immense prestige and rewards. However, the practice leads to an unhealthy competitive environment, where scholars are more focused on winning than on genuine truth-seeking. Many talented scholars leave the city due to the harsh realities of these debates. The story then introduces a formidable new scholar whose arrival causes a stir. The king, apprehensive of losing his city's reputation, seeks the help of a young ascetic. The ascetic, initially reluctant, agrees to participate. The story vividly contrasts the flamboyant and boastful "Pandit Deepankar" with the humble and insightful ascetic. The debate ensues, with Pandit Deepankar presenting complex, verbose arguments, while the ascetic offers simple, profound truths that dismantle the Pandit's claims. The ascetic's victory highlights the superiority of genuine wisdom and humility over ostentatious display and intellectual vanity.

11. Sudha Ghaṇṭ (સુઘોષા ઘંટ) This section tells the legend of the Sudha Ghaṇṭ (Bell of Nectar), a massive bell located in a remote mountain temple that produces extraordinarily beautiful and healing music. The bell is said to have been cast from precious metals donated by devotees from across the world, including those from distant lands. The story of its creation involves an old Buddhist monk who, after dedicating his life to serving the poor and spreading the message of non-violence and compassion, makes the ultimate sacrifice by offering his own body to be cremated and its essence used to imbue the bell with divine power. This narrative underscores the idea of self-sacrifice for the greater good and the enduring power of spiritual dedication. The story also includes an anecdote about a wealthy merchant who, haunted by the guilt of murdering his brother for wealth, seeks solace at the Sudha Ghaṇṭ. The bell's profound resonance and the underlying message of redemption eventually lead him to renounce his ill-gotten gains and embrace a life of spiritual pursuit.

12. Magadhraj Ni Mudrika (મગધરાજની મુદ્રિકા) This story begins with Suryamitra, a minister or advisor to the king of Magadh, losing a precious ring belonging to the king. He is consumed by anxiety and fear of the king's wrath. He seeks guidance from a Jain ascetic, hoping for a mystical solution. The ascetic, after a brief, insightful conversation, guides Suryamitra to find the ring, emphasizing the importance of understanding the true nature of possessions and the illusory nature of worldly attachments. Suryamitra's journey to the ascetic also marks a turning point in his life, as he begins to question his materialistic desires and seeks spiritual enlightenment. The story highlights the power of spiritual guidance and the potential for inner transformation. It also subtly critiques the superficiality of worldly pursuits and the search for happiness through external means.

13. A Few Life Sketches (થોડાં જીવનચિત્રો) This section presents several short vignettes or character sketches, likely illustrating moral or ethical points:

• The Hypocritical Reformer: A man who preaches social reform and equality but exploits a vulnerable relative and then retreats from his commitments when faced with personal responsibility.
• The Envious Woman: A woman who, despite doing work, is consumed by envy of others' happiness and possessions, leading to her own unhappiness and alienation.
• The Dishonest Clerk: A clerk who, while skilled, compromises his integrity for petty gains, ultimately losing his reputation and livelihood.
• The Fallen Philanthropist: A man who starts with noble intentions of serving humanity but is ruined by ego, disbelief, and immorality.
• The Tragic Widow: A beautiful and educated widow who succumbs to her desires, faces abandonment, and ultimately meets a tragic end.
• The Proud Daughter-in-Law: A pampered daughter-in-law whose pride and idleness lead to family discord and eventual separation.
• The Virtuous Orphan: An orphan boy, raised by a kind couple, whose innate honesty, diligence, and humility lead him to inherit their fortune and find contentment.
• The Two Munims: A story about two assistants who manage an estate. One remains honest and dedicated, while the other succumbs to greed, ultimately meeting a disastrous end.
• The Redeemed Prostitute: A former prostitute who uses her wealth for good deeds, earning respect and a positive reputation, drawing parallels with the story of Amrapali in Buddhist literature.
• The Sage and the King: A story about Sage Satyaki, living in poverty but with great contentment, contrasting with a visiting king who, despite his wealth, feels incomplete. The king learns a lesson about true happiness from the sage's simple life.
• The Honest Disciple: A student who refuses a gift from the king, demonstrating integrity and respect for his guru.
• The Honest Assistant: Another tale of an assistant who is honest and diligent, even when faced with temptation or misunderstanding, eventually receiving his rightful inheritance.

This summary provides an overview of the themes and narratives presented in the provided pages of "Punarvatar." The book appears to be a collection of moral and spiritual tales, emphasizing Jain values and philosophy.