Rani Chellana Akshaytrutiya

This document is a collection of Jain texts, presented in Gujarati. Based on the provided pages, it primarily contains two main stories or narratives: "Rani Chellana" (Queen Chellana) and "Akshay Tritiya".

Here's a summary of the content:

1. Rani Chellana (Queen Chellana):

This section tells the story of Queen Chellana, a prominent figure in Jainism. The narrative appears to focus on her life, her relationship with King Shrenik of Magadha, and her role in the spiritual journey of both her husband and her son.

• Early Life and Marriage: It begins by introducing King Chetak of Vaishali, father of seven daughters, including Sujyeshtha and Chellana. It highlights their virtuous nature and deep knowledge of Dharma. King Shrenik of Magadha seeks one of these princesses' hands in marriage, but King Chetak initially refuses due to perceived differences in lineage.
• Sujyeshtha's Marriage to Shrenik: Sujyeshtha, inspired by a portrait of King Shrenik, desires to marry him. With the help of a merchant, a secret plan is made for Shrenik to meet her via a tunnel. However, on the fateful night, Chellana accompanies Sujyeshtha. Due to a misunderstanding or a deliberate act (the text is not entirely clear here), Chellana is taken away by Shrenik instead of Sujyeshtha.
• Sujyeshtha's Renunciation: Sujyeshtha is deeply affected by this event and realizes the need for a higher purpose in life. She chooses to take religious vows (Diksha).
• Chellana's Influence on Shrenik: Chellana becomes King Shrenik's beloved queen. She actively shares the teachings of Lord Mahavir with him, leading to King Shrenik's deep devotion to the faith.
• The Birth of Kunik and Chellana's Foresight: Chellana conceives and experiences a disturbing thought of consuming her husband's heart. This prompts her to realize the child is an enemy of her husband. Upon the birth of her son, Kunik, she instructs a maid to abandon him.
• Kunik's Survival and Identification: The maid abandons the infant near a pile of refuse. King Shrenik finds the baby, whose finger is bitten by a hen. Shrenik lovingly sucks the blood from the wound, calming the child. Chellana's reasoning for abandoning the child is that he is destined to be Shrenik's enemy. Shrenik insists she raise him. The child is nicknamed "Kunik" due to his injured finger.
• A Test of Loyalty and Shrenik's Anger: On a cold winter night, Chellana feels the cold and contemplates the hardship of ascetics. Shrenik overhears her and, misinterpreting her thoughts as affection for another, becomes enraged. He orders his son, Abhaykumar, to burn down the royal inner chambers, mistaking it for the queens' quarters.
• Abhaykumar's Intervention and Shrenik's Realization: Abhaykumar, realizing his father's misjudgment, sets fire to some outer buildings and raises an alarm. Shrenik, after consulting with Lord Mahavir who confirms Chellana's chastity, understands his mistake. He is filled with remorse and builds a special palace for Chellana.
• Kunik's Ambition and Imprisonment of Shrenik: Kunik grows older and desires the throne. He imprisons his father, Shrenik.
• Chellana's Devotion and Deception to Help Shrenik: Chellana is deeply pained by Shrenik's suffering. She devises a plan to feed and care for him by concealing balls of urad dal (black gram) in her hair, which she then moistens with medicated water to offer to Shrenik, inducing a state of daze to lessen his pain from the flogging.
• Kunik's Realization and Shrenik's Death: Chellana reveals to Kunik the extent of Shrenik's love for him, even after she had tried to abandon him as an infant. This revelation brings Kunik to his senses, and he rushes to free his father. However, Shrenik, believing his death is imminent, consumes poison and dies before Kunik can reach him.
• Chellana's Renunciation: Overwhelmed by grief and the impermanence of worldly attachments, Chellana renounces the world and takes Jain vows, dedicating her life to spiritual practice and compassion for all beings. She eventually attains liberation (Nirvana).

2. Akshay Tritiya (Akshaya Tritiya):

This section recounts the origin and significance of the Jain festival of Akshay Tritiya, traditionally associated with the first Tirthankar, Lord Rishabhadeva.

• The Setting and Lord Rishabhadeva's Contemplation: The story begins in Vinita city, where Lord Rishabhadeva reigns. During a beautiful spring season, he contemplates the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the cycle of birth and death driven by attachment and aversion. He reflects on his role in establishing societal structures, laws, and arts, recognizing that it's time to establish the path of Dharma.
• The Call of the Lokantika Devas: The Lokantika Devas from the fifth heaven descend and request Lord Rishabhadeva to initiate the path of Dharma. He smiles in acceptance.
• Lord Rishabhadeva's Renunciation and Year of Dana: Lord Rishabhadeva announces his decision to renounce the world. He gives the kingdom to his son Bharat and begins a year of unparalleled charity (Dana). He declares that anyone with a need should come and take what they desire, as he will give whatever is asked.
• The Challenge of Fasting: After the year of Dana, Lord Rishabhadeva takes his vows of asceticism. He abstains from food for a prolonged period, as no one understands the concept of alms or the proper way to offer them. The trees offer fruit, and water sources are available, but he does not partake due to the lack of proper understanding of vow fulfillment. His followers, including four thousand kings, struggle to endure his ascetic practices and eventually disperse.
• Lord Rishabhadeva's Austere State: Lord Rishabhadeva remains steadfast in his vows, his body weakening from the prolonged fasting. His once radiant form becomes dark and frail.
• Arrival in Hastinapur and the Quest for Alms: On a particular day, Lord Rishabhadeva arrives in Hastinapur. The citizens, accustomed to his royal demeanor, are shocked to see him in such an austere state. They are dismayed and seek a solution from King Somayash, who is a descendant of Lord Rishabhadeva's son Bahubali.
• The Dreams of Somayash, Shreyans, and Subuddhi: King Somayash, Prince Shreyans, and Nagarseth Subuddhi (a wealthy merchant) have simultaneous dreams. Somayash dreams of a king being rescued from enemies. Shreyans dreams of purifying a darkened mountain with nectar. Subuddhi dreams of restoring lost rays of the sun. They interpret these dreams as a sign that Prince Shreyans will perform a great deed.
• Shreyans' Recognition and Offering of Sugarcane Juice: Prince Shreyans rushes to meet Lord Rishabhadeva, recognizing him from past lives. He feels a deep spiritual connection and realizes that Lord Rishabhadeva is about to become a Tirthankar. Seeing Lord Rishabhadeva's hunger, Shreyans understands that the time has come to break his fast. A farmer brings sugarcane. Shreyans offers the pure sugarcane juice to Lord Rishabhadeva.
• The Significance of the Offering: Lord Rishabhadeva accepts the sugarcane juice, marking the end of his 400-day fast. The offering is immense, filling 108 pots. This event is celebrated as the origin of Akshay Tritiya, a day of immense merit and the breaking of a significant vow.
• Explanation of the Past Life Connection and the Fast: Shreyans explains his past life connections with Lord Rishabhadeva. He also clarifies that the prolonged fast was a consequence of past karma. In a previous life, Lord Rishabhadeva had tied a muzzle on oxen to prevent them from eating grain, leading to the 400-day interruption of food for him. This act, though motivated by compassion, resulted in the karmic consequence.
• The Merit of Akshay Tritiya: The narrative concludes by emphasizing the auspiciousness of Akshay Tritiya, highlighting the merit gained by performing acts of charity, penance, and spiritual observance on this day. It encourages the reader to cultivate inner peace and seek spiritual happiness.

Overall Themes:

• Devotion and Dharma: The stories emphasize the importance of devotion to Jain principles and the transformative power of Dharma.
• Karma and Consequences: The narratives illustrate the Jain concept of karma, where actions in past lives have consequences in the present.
• Renunciation and Asceticism: The stories highlight the Jain path of renunciation as a means to spiritual liberation.
• The Role of Women: Queen Chellana's story showcases the significant influence women can have in guiding others towards spiritual paths.
• The Importance of Charity and Compassion: The Akshay Tritiya narrative underscores the merit of giving and compassion, particularly exemplified by Prince Shreyans' offering.

The document is part of the "Jain Balgranthavali Shreni-1" series, suggesting it is intended for young readers to introduce them to important Jain stories and teachings. The publisher, Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust, is dedicated to disseminating Jain literature.