Ratnashekhar Charitram - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ratnashekhar Charitram" by Dayavardhan Gani, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose:

The "Ratnashekhar Charitram" is a Jain narrative presented in a prose (Champū-katha) style, aiming to illustrate the principles of Jainism, particularly the importance of observing religious duties, especially during parva (auspicious) days. It highlights the consequences of adhering to these principles and the pitfalls of deviating from them, emphasizing the path to liberation (moksha).

Key Themes and Teachings:

Importance of Parva Days and Religious Observances: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to explaining the significance of auspicious days like Ashtami (8th day of the lunar fortnight), Chaturdashi (14th day), Purnima (full moon), and Amavasya (new moon). It details various religious practices such as fasting (posadha), meditation (samayika), prayer (jinapuja), and upholding vows (sila). The text repeatedly stresses that even small acts of religious devotion on these days yield great merit.
Karma and Rebirth: The narrative consistently illustrates the law of karma, showing how actions in this life influence future births and destinies. Characters experience the fruits of their deeds, both positive and negative, across multiple lifetimes.
The Power of Detachment and Renunciation: The story emphasizes the importance of detachment from worldly pleasures, desires, and even attachments to loved ones in the pursuit of spiritual liberation. Characters who achieve spiritual heights often do so through rigorous penance and renunciation.
The Pervasiveness of Desire (Kama) and its Dangers: The text vividly portrays the destructive power of desire, particularly lust and attachment, as it leads to suffering, moral decline, and hinders spiritual progress. Many characters fall prey to their senses, leading to unfortunate outcomes.
The Role of the Guru and Jain Teachings: Gurus and enlightened beings play a crucial role in guiding individuals, offering wisdom, and revealing the true nature of reality and the path to liberation. The teachings of the Jinas (Tirthankaras) are presented as the ultimate source of guidance.
The Nature of True Happiness: True happiness and ultimate peace are found not in worldly possessions or sensual pleasures, but in spiritual discipline, self-control, and devotion to the Jinas and their teachings.

Narrative Synopsis (as far as can be understood from the provided pages):

The text begins by establishing the auspicious nature of certain days for religious observance, citing scriptures. It then introduces the setting: the city of Ratnapur, ruled by King Ratnashekhar.

King Ratnashekhar's Affliction: The king falls deeply in love with a Kinnarī maiden named Ratnavati after hearing about her beauty and seeing her with her consort. This infatuation consumes him, leaving him disoriented and neglecting his duties. His minister, Matisagar, is concerned.
Minister's Search and King's Suffering: The minister tries to understand the king's state, but the Kinnar couple eludes him. The king's suffering is highlighted, emphasizing the power of love and desire. The text laments the overwhelming nature of sensory pleasures and the difficulty of overcoming them.
Minister's Quest and the Journey: The minister embarks on a seven-month journey to find a remedy for the king. During his travels, he encounters various situations, including a mysterious maiden in a jewel-filled forest.
Encounter with a Serpent-King and a Yakshini: The minister encounters a serpent-king and his Yakshini wife. The Yakshini, who possesses supernatural powers, guides the minister by revealing a perilous path to reach her. The minister's courage is tested.
The Virtuous Householder and the Celestial Being: The text introduces a virtuous householder who diligently observes religious practices, particularly on parva days. He is rewarded by a celestial being (Deva) who grants him a celestial power (vyomgamini vidya) with a condition of secrecy.
The Householder's Wife and the Revelation: The householder's wife inadvertently reveals his secret, leading to the loss of his powers. This serves as a lesson about the consequences of divulging secrets, especially those related to spiritual achievements.
The Merchant and the Festival: A wealthy merchant observes the prescribed religious duties, even on a parva day (Ashtami). He is praised for his devotion.
The Merchant's Daughter, Lakshmi: The merchant's daughter, Lakshmi, is introduced. A story unfolds about her past life where she was a celestial being whose actions in a previous life led to her current state. Her parents, a merchant and his wife, play a role in her narrative.
The Story of Ratnavati and Rupachandra: A significant portion of the narrative involves the story of Ratnavati and Rupachandra. It involves multiple births, past-life connections, and the influence of karma. The narrative touches upon themes of love, betrayal, and eventual reunion, all framed within the context of Jain principles and the consequences of actions.
The Importance of Pure Water (Prasuk Water): The text stresses the strict Jain practice of consuming only prasuk water (water that is free from any life forms and has not been exposed to potential contamination). The story of Lakshmi's daughter suffering from a fever due to consuming non-prasuk water highlights this rule.
The Queen's Devotion and the Sage's Wisdom: The queen, Ratnavati, is depicted as devout, observing fasts and performing religious duties. She engages in discourse with sages, seeking guidance on spiritual matters.
The Story of the King and the Parrots: A king is introduced who is intrigued by the wisdom of two parrots. Their conversation reveals the importance of righteous actions and the dangers of unethical behavior, particularly in relation to royal duties and the welfare of subjects.
The Story of the Merchant and the Poisoned Water: A merchant's wife makes a mistake in preparing offerings, inadvertently using contaminated water. This leads to a situation where the merchant faces consequences for this religious lapse.
The King's Dilemma and the Serpent-King's Story: The story delves into a complex narrative involving a king, a serpent, and a battle of wits. The serpent-king's story illustrates the consequences of breaking oaths and the dangers of trusting the untrustworthy.
The King's Encounter with a Yogi and the Story of Sumati: The king meets a yogini, who shares the story of Sumati, her past life as a deer, and her connection to a deer who was King Shrirama in a past incarnation. This story emphasizes the continuity of souls and the impact of past actions on present relationships.
The King's Actions and the Consequences: The king faces consequences for his actions, including the loss of his horse and his queen's disappearance. These events are attributed to his karmic baggage.
The King's Enlightenment and the Teachings of the Sage: The king receives further teachings from a sage, emphasizing the importance of righteous conduct and the fleeting nature of worldly possessions.
The King's Reconciliation and Spiritual Practice: The king is reunited with his queen, and they dedicate themselves to religious practices, observing parva days and offering charity. They ultimately attain heavenly abodes.
The King's Later Life and the Importance of Merit: The narrative continues, showing the king's adherence to Jain principles, his devotion to his guru, and his commitment to good deeds. The story emphasizes that good deeds, especially during parva days, lead to happiness in this life and the next.

Overall Message:

The "Ratnashekhar Charitram" serves as a moral and spiritual guide, reinforcing the core tenets of Jainism. It teaches that by diligently observing religious duties, practicing self-control, cultivating detachment, and seeking the wisdom of the gurus, individuals can overcome the cycle of birth and death and attain eternal bliss. The narrative, filled with allegorical tales and exemplary characters, aims to inspire readers to follow the path of righteousness and earn spiritual merit.