Rajkukmar Shrenik Diwakar Chitrakatha 016 - Book Summary

This is a summary of the Jain comic book "Rajkumar Shrenik Diwakar Chitrakatha 016," published by Diwakar Prakashan.

Overview: The comic book tells the story of Prince Shrenik, who later became a prominent king and a devoted follower of Lord Mahavir. It focuses on the events leading up to his ascension to the throne of Magadha. The narrative highlights Shrenik's intelligence, courage, and leadership qualities through various anecdotes and challenges he faces.

Key Figures:

Prince Shrenik: The protagonist, known for his sharp intellect, bravery, and ability to overcome adversity.
King Senajit (Prasenjit): Shrenik's father, a follower of Lord Parshvanath, the ruler of Kushagrapur (later Rajagriha).
Queen Tilakvati: King Senajit's second wife, from a Bhil tribe, and mother of Chilati Kumar.
Chilati Kumar: Shrenik's half-brother, who is cruel and unworthy of ruling.
Vachaspati: King Senajit's minister, who advises the king and devises plans.
Nanda: A merchant's daughter, intelligent and virtuous, who eventually marries Shrenik.
Subhadra: Nanda's father, a merchant, who initially mistakes Shrenik for a fool but later recognizes his intelligence.

Synopsis of Key Events:

Introduction to Shrenik: Prince Shrenik is introduced as the eldest son of King Senajit of Kushagrapur, Magadha. King Senajit is a follower of Lord Parshvanath.
The Horse Test: King Senajit tests a beautiful horse from a Sindhi merchant. While riding, he is thrown off. A kind young woman, Tilakvati, helps him.
Marriage to Tilakvati: King Senajit is impressed by Tilakvati and her father, Yamadand. Yamadand agrees to give his daughter to Senajit on the condition that her son will be the heir. Senajit agrees, and they return to Kushagrapur.
Chilati Kumar: Tilakvati gives birth to a son, Chilati Kumar, who grows up to be cruel and unruly.
Succession Crisis: As King Senajit ages, he wants to appoint an heir. He is concerned that Chilati Kumar is unfit to rule, and appointing him might lead to civil war. He also faces the promise made to Yamadand.
Shrenik's Cleverness: To test his sons, King Senajit orders them to fill earthenware pots with dew. While other princes fail, Shrenik ingeniously uses a wet cloth to collect dew and fill his pot. He also demonstrates courage by sharing his food with hungry dogs when they invade the dining hall.
The Fire Incident: A fire breaks out in the royal palace. King Senajit orders everyone to save their prized possessions. Shrenik, demonstrating his responsibility, saves the royal insignia (chhatra, chamara, and bheri) instead of personal belongings. However, his father reprimands him for saving "useless" items.
Exile and Meeting Subhadra: Feeling unappreciated and insulted, Shrenik leaves Kushagrapur in disguise. He encounters a merchant, Subhadra, and they travel together. Subhadra initially perceives Shrenik as foolish due to his witty but seemingly nonsensical remarks and actions.
Nanda's Insight: Shrenik's sharp intellect is revealed when Subhadra's daughter, Nanda, understands the deeper meaning behind Shrenik's words and actions during their journey. She recognizes his wisdom and potential.
Testing Shrenik: Subhadra tests Shrenik further at his home. Shrenik's resourcefulness in cleaning his feet with minimal water and his general conduct impress Nanda.
Marriage to Nanda: Subhadra, recognizing Shrenik's worth and fulfilling his daughter's dream (she had a dream about marrying a prince), arranges the marriage between Nanda and Shrenik. Shrenik becomes a houseguest.
The "Tejantari" Sand: Shrenik identifies a pile of red sand in Subhadra's backyard as "Tejantari" sand, valuable for its medicinal properties and containing particles of the philosopher's stone. He advises Subhadra to preserve it. A foreign merchant later recognizes its value and offers a high price for it.
Recognition and Honor: Shrenik's astuteness in identifying and valuing the sand earns him the title of "Nagar Seth" (City Merchant) from the local king.
Childbirth and Aspirations: Nanda has a dream of a lion, which Shrenik interprets as her giving birth to a brave and intelligent son. She expresses a desire for animal-husbandry during the Ashtanhik festival.
Taming the Elephant and Abhaydan: Shrenik bravely tames a rampaging elephant, fulfilling Nanda's desire. He then requests the king to declare a period of "Abhaydan" (non-violence) for all living beings during the festival.
Return to Magadha: Back in Kushagrapur, King Senajit is ill and distressed by Chilati Kumar's cruel rule and the kingdom's decline (fires, economic hardship, and public unrest). He sends for Shrenik.
Shrenik's Duty: Shrenik, upon learning of his father's condition and the state of Magadha, decides to return, despite his past grievances. He leaves Nanda with a letter explaining his identity and destination.
Coronation: Shrenik returns to Magadha, reunites with his father, and is crowned the King of Magadha. Chilati Kumar flees.

Themes:

Wisdom and Intelligence: Shrenik's intelligence is a recurring theme, demonstrated through his ability to solve problems and understand underlying meanings.
Courage and Responsibility: Shrenik displays bravery in the face of danger and a strong sense of duty towards his kingdom and family.
Virtue and Character: The story emphasizes the importance of good character, as seen in Nanda's discernment and Shrenik's moral compass.
Justice and Good Governance: The contrast between Shrenik's potential leadership and Chilati Kumar's tyranny highlights the importance of righteous rule.
Jain Values: The narrative implicitly promotes Jain principles of compassion, non-violence, and resourcefulness.

Publisher's Note: The final pages of the comic include promotional material for Diwakar Prakashan's series of Jain comic books, encouraging readers to subscribe. It also features a call to action against animal cruelty and the promotion of vegetarianism.