Ratribhojan Pariharak Ras

This document is a Jain text titled "Ratribhojan Pariharak Ras" (The Ballad of Abstaining from Night Meals), authored by Shravak Bhimsinh Manek and published by him. The text is presented as a guide and encouragement for devotees to abstain from eating at night, detailing the ill effects of night meals and the auspicious results of observing this practice.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content across the pages:

Core Message:

The central theme is the condemnation of eating at night (Ratribhojan) and the promotion of its avoidance. The text emphasizes that this practice leads to sin, suffering, and negative consequences in this life and the next. Conversely, abstaining from night meals is portrayed as a virtuous act that brings auspicious results, happiness, and spiritual progress.

Key Content and Themes:

• Introduction and Purpose (Page 1-3):

  • The book is dedicated to illustrating the good fruits of refraining from night meals.
  • It is intended to provide knowledge to righteous individuals as a means to discourage night eating.
  • It is a second edition, printed in Mumbai in 1895.
  • The text begins with an invocation to Lord Shankheshwar, praising his glory and the faith of his devotees.
  • The author expresses a desire to compose this "Ras" (ballad) with the Lord's grace.
  • It immediately calls upon the reader to listen to the message and understand the faults of night eating.

• The Faults of Night Eating (Page 4-6):

  • Harm to the Body: Eating at night is equated to behaving like a demon, an "yamaduta" (messenger of death).
  • Spiritual Demerits: The text cites ancient scriptures and the teachings of sages that highlight the serious faults of night eating.
  • Impurity: Even holy rivers like the Ganga are said to become like blood when their waters are consumed at night, symbolizing the impurity associated with night meals.
  • Religious Practices: Observing fasts, performing penance, or visiting holy sites are considered fruitless if one continues to eat at night, as it renders these practices invalid.
  • Spiritual and Physical Illness: The text warns that consuming food at night can lead to severe diseases like dropsy, leprosy, and even death, citing specific examples like insects or worms in food causing harm.
  • Lack of Devotion: Night is not suitable for divine worship or acts of charity; it is a time for nocturnal creatures.

• The Story of King Amarancen and Jayasen (Page 6-49):

  • This is a major narrative section illustrating the teachings. King Amarancen of Charapur has no heir, causing him distress.
  • The Serpent Princess Episode: A serpent princess (Nagasukumari) appears to the king in the forest. She is a powerful being who offers him boons.
  • The Serpent Princess's Temptation: She tries to seduce the king, but he steadfastly refuses, citing the rule of not approaching another's wife, exemplified by stories of Ravana and Sita, or the curse on the sage who was seduced. He upholds righteousness and his vows.
  • The Serpent's Blessing: Impressed by his virtue, the serpent princess blesses him with a son, Jayasen, with a condition that if he ever reveals her secret, the son would face danger.
  • Jayasen's Virtues: Jayasen grows up to be a virtuous and skilled prince.
  • The Bird's Wisdom: Jayasen encounters birds (Chida and Chidki) who are suffering the consequences of their past actions. They reveal that they were a king and queen who ate at night. They explain how they lost their celestial bodies and are now reborn as birds, awaiting a cure. The birds advise Jayasen against night eating.
  • Jayasen's Choice: Jayasen, influenced by the birds' plight and the inherent wrongness of night eating, vows to abstain from it.
  • The Swyamvar (Bride Selection): A swayamvar is announced for a princess named Jayasena. Many kings and princes attend, showcasing their skills.
  • Jayasen's Unique Skills: Jayasen, using his knowledge and past life memories (from the bird's story), demonstrates extraordinary feats:
    • He transforms into a hideous form and back, riding a horse made of clay.
    • He rides the clay horse, which becomes animated by his determination.
    • He manipulates a clay horse, making it appear and disappear.
    • He rides a swing made of a single thread (tantana).
  • Jayasena's Conditions: Princess Jayasena, having heard about Jayasen's past life and his ability to fulfill these specific challenges, agrees to marry him only if he fulfills these four unique conditions.
  • The Wedding and Conclusion of the Story: Jayasen successfully fulfills the conditions, proving his destiny. He marries Jayasena, and they live happily. The story reinforces the idea that adherence to dharma, including abstaining from night meals, leads to prosperity and good fortune.

• The Teacher's Counsel and King Amarancen's Renunciation (Page 56-59):

  • King Amarancen, after witnessing the consequences of night eating and the virtue of his son, seeks spiritual guidance from a Jain monk.
  • The monk delivers a sermon on the impermanence of the body and the importance of spiritual pursuits.
  • King Amarancen, inspired by the sermon, renounces his kingdom to his son Jayasen and embraces the ascetic path, taking vows from the monk.
  • He practices austerities, meditation, and eventually attains liberation (moksha).

• Moral Teachings and Advice (Page 59 onwards):

  • The text concludes with various moral teachings and advice (Shikhamanon Bolon) for living a virtuous life. These include:
    • Remembering God.
    • Believing in the guru's teachings.
    • Being loyal to one's employer.
    • Avoiding deceit and unfair practices.
    • Practicing compassion towards all living beings.
    • Maintaining control over one's senses.
    • Avoiding intoxicating substances.
    • Adhering to Jain principles of non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy (brahmacharya), and non-possession (aparigraha).
    • The importance of charity and mindful spending.
    • Avoiding bad company and engaging in thoughtful actions.

Overall Tone and Style:

The "Ras" is written in a poetic, narrative style, using vernacular Gujarati (with some influence of Rajasthani or other related dialects). It employs vivid imagery, storytelling, and direct appeals to the reader's emotions and intellect to convey its message. The use of "Dhal" (stanzas or verses) and "Doha" (couplets) makes it a traditional ballad form, making it engaging for devotional recitation.

In essence, "Ratribhojan Pariharak Ras" is a Jain devotional text that uses a compelling narrative of kings, curses, and virtuous actions to strongly advocate for the avoidance of eating at night, presenting it as a fundamental principle for a righteous and prosperous life.