Rishidatta Diwakar Chitrakatha 046

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rishidatta Diwakar Chitrakatha 046":

This Jain story, "Rishidatta Diwakar Chitrakatha 046," published by Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai and authored by Shantakumari Sadhvi and Shreechand Surana, tells the life story of Rishidatta, emphasizing the Jain principles of equanimity, forgiveness, and the law of karma.

The story begins by highlighting the importance of maintaining equanimity in the face of happiness and sorrow, viewing them as consequences of one's own deeds. This principle is exemplified by the life of Sati Rishidatta, who endured torments with equanimity. The narrative traces its origin to Gunapala Muni's 10th-century work, "Isidatta Chariyam."

The story then introduces King Harishen of Tambavati, a ruler fond of horse riding. While riding a gifted fast horse, he loses control, narrowly escaping a fall by grabbing banyan branches. Exhausted, he finds refuge in a hermitage where he meets a meditating sage. Impressed by the king's humility, the sage gives him a potent anti-toxin herb. Harishen, dedicated to serving his people, returns to his kingdom and makes the herb's availability known. He tirelessly treats many suffering from poisoning, including the princess of a neighboring kingdom, Mangalavati. This act of service leads to the princess being married to him.

During an outing, King Harishen and Queen Pritimati encounter a wild elephant. Harishen bravely kills the elephant, but they are then threatened by its herd. They flee into the jungle and find another hermitage, belonging to Sage Vishvabhuti. Sage Vishvabhuti recognizes Harishen and impresses him with his spiritual insight. Harishen, feeling a sense of detachment, decides to renounce the world and join the hermitage with Queen Pritimati.

While practicing austerities as hermits, Queen Pritimati becomes pregnant. Harishen is concerned, but she explains it was from their earlier married life. Some hermits criticize Harishen for not disclosing this, but Sage Vishvabhuti advises understanding. Pritimati gives birth to a baby girl, Rishidatta, but tragically dies shortly after. Harishen lovingly raises Rishidatta, imparting knowledge and skills, making her a brilliant young woman.

One day, a marriage party of Prince Kanakarath of Rathamardanapur passes by. Kanakarath is captivated by Rishidatta's beauty and melodious chanting. He seeks her hand from Sage Harishen, despite being on his way to marry Princess Rukmini of Kaberi. The sage, after obtaining Rishidatta's consent, marries them.

The prince's return with Rishidatta causes surprise and apprehension, particularly as it creates animosity with the Kaberi kingdom. Princess Rukmini, upon learning of Kanakarath's marriage to Rishidatta, is enraged. Her father, King Kritabrahma, threatens Rathamardanapur. Rukmini, heartbroken and furious, vows revenge.

Rukmini seeks the help of Sulasa Yogini, a sorceress, to destroy Rishidatta. Sulasa devises a plan to frame Rishidatta as a man-eater. She secretly applies blood on Rishidatta's mouth and scatters flesh around her room at night, making it appear as though Rishidatta is consuming human flesh. Prince Kanakarath witnesses these disturbing scenes for three consecutive nights. Rishidatta, however, maintains her innocence, attributing the events to sorcery.

The townspeople report the mysterious murders, and the king orders the arrest of sorcerers. Sulasa Yogini, brought to court, boldly accuses Rishidatta. The king, swayed by the evidence and Sulasa's claims, decides to test Rishidatta. He instructs Sulasa to put Rishidatta into a trance sleep. The next morning, the king witnesses the same scene of blood and flesh. Believing his daughter-in-law to be a cannibal, he orders her to be burned alive at the cremation ground.

At the cremation ground, Rishidatta, accepting her fate as a consequence of past deeds, is placed on the pyre. Just as it's lit, a storm erupts, extinguishing the fire and allowing her to escape into the jungle. She finds her father's old hermitage and weeps over her undeserved suffering. She dreams of her father, who blesses her with the power to change her form for self-protection.

Meanwhile, Sulasa Yogini returns to Kaberi, boasting of her success to Rukmini. Rukmini, overjoyed, plans her marriage to King Kritabrahma. An emissary is sent to Rathamardanapur to propose marriage to Kanakarath, who is still mourning Rishidatta. His father, King Hemarath, persuades him to marry Rukmini.

On the way to Kaberi, Kanakarath stops at the hermitage where he was married to Rishidatta. He encounters a young hermit who turns out to be Rishidatta in disguise. He narrates his story, convinced of Rishidatta's innocence and her magical transformation. Rishidatta advises him to marry Rukmini due to his parents' pressure, promising he will eventually reunite with her.

Kanakarath marries Rukmini, but his heart remains with Rishidatta. During the wedding night, Rukmini reveals her conspiracy with Sulasa Yogini. Enraged, Kanakarath confronts Rukmini, but Rishidatta (as the hermit) intervenes, advising him against harming her. He vows to burn himself to death out of guilt.

Rishidatta then reveals herself, stating she is alive. She asks Rukmini if she would pardon her. Rukmini confesses her sin. Rishidatta embraces her, attributing the suffering to past-life karmas. King Kritabrahma and others seek forgiveness from Kanakarath and Rishidatta. Rishidatta urges everyone to move forward.

King Hemarath repents his actions. Rishidatta forgives her in-laws, emphasizing that happiness and sorrow are consequences of karma. Kanakarath and Rishidatta eventually abdicate and follow the spiritual path.

Later, Rishidatta seeks understanding from Acharya Dharmavijaya about her unjust suffering. The acharya explains that her predicament was a result of past-life karmas. He reveals that in a previous life, she was Princess Gangasena, who became jealous of a mendicant named Sangama. Gangasena conspired to tarnish Sangama's image, blaming her for meat-eating and wine consumption, leading to Sangama's animosity.

The acharya connects these past-life events to the present: Gangasena reincarnated as Rishidatta, and Sangama reincarnated as Sulasa Yogini, who sought revenge on Rishidatta. Upon hearing this, Rishidatta attains "Jati-smaran Jnana" (knowledge of past lives) and renounces the world for spiritual pursuits and liberation.

The moral of the story is that recklessness in deeds leads to suffering and lamentation when consequences arise.

The latter part of the text briefly describes the seven hells in the lower world according to Jain cosmology, listing their names and thicknesses in yojanas.

In essence, the "Rishidatta" story is a powerful illustration of Jain teachings on karma, reincarnation, and the importance of spiritual discipline and inner strength in overcoming life's trials.