Rup Ka Garv Diwakar Chitrakatha 038 - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rup ka Garv Diwakar Chitrakatha 038" by Shreechand Surana, published by Diwakar Prakashan:

Book Title: Rup ka Garv (Pride of Beauty) Author: Shreechand Surana Publisher: Diwakar Prakashan

Central Theme: The story of Sunatskumar, the fourth Chakravarti (universal emperor) of this era, and the lesson that true worth lies not in outward beauty or worldly possessions, but in spiritual development and detachment.

Key Narrative Points:

Birth and Childhood of Sunatskumar: The story begins with King Ashwasen of Hastinapur and his queen Sahadevi, who dreams of a Cakravarti. They are blessed with a son, Sunatskumar, whose name is chosen by astrologers. He grows up to be exceptionally handsome and destined for greatness.
Education and Friendship: Sunatskumar receives training in both scriptures and warfare. He forms a close friendship with Mahendra at the gurukul, who vows to always stay by his side.
The Horse Trader and the Desert: During the spring season, Sunatskumar and Mahendra visit a garden. A horse trader arrives with fine horses. Sunatskumar, a skilled horseman, tests a magnificent white horse and rides off, promising to return. However, the horse, known for its wild nature, takes him into a dense forest.
The Ordeal in the Wilderness: Mahendra and the horse trader wait for Sunatskumar, but he doesn't return. The horse's tracks indicate it was wild and uncontrollable. A fierce storm and rain begin, erasing the tracks and making the search extremely difficult. Mahendra and the soldiers get separated in the dense jungle, leaving Mahendra to search for Sunatskumar alone.
Discovery and Divine Intervention: After wandering for a year, Mahendra follows migratory birds to a lake where he sees beautiful nymphs dancing. He then spots a strikingly handsome youth on a rock, whom he recognizes as Sunatskumar. Upon reunion, Sunatskumar narrates his ordeal. He explains how the horse, after exhausting itself, collapsed and died in a barren desert. He was saved by a Yaksha (a nature spirit) who lived in a tree, by being given water from the celestial Manasarovar (lotus lake).
Encounter with a Cruel Yaksha: After bathing in the Manasarovar, Sunatskumar is attacked by a fierce Yaksha, who tries to uproot a large banyan tree to strike him. Sunatskumar, with his immense strength, overpowers and repels the Yaksha.
Meeting the Vidyadhara Maidens: Sunatskumar then encounters eight celestial maidens (Vidyadharis) playing in a garden. They recognize him and take him to their father, King Bhanuveg, who welcomes him, having predicted his arrival and that he would be the groom for his eight daughters. Sunatskumar marries them.
The Yaksha's Revenge and Abduction: The same Yaksha, harboring enmity from past lives, finds Sunatskumar sleeping and throws him into a dense forest.
The Seven-Story Palace and Sunanda: Wandering alone, Sunatskumar discovers a seven-story palace. He hears a woman's cry for help. He enters and finds a beautiful woman named Sunanda, who explains she was abducted by a Vidyadhara and brought to this isolated palace. She had prophesied that her husband would be a great hero, Sunatskumar.
Revelation and Defeating the Abductor: Sunatskumar reveals his identity to Sunanda. Just then, the Vidyadhara abductor returns and confronts Sunatskumar. Sunatskumar defeats and kills the Vidyadhara.
Marriage to Sunanda and Encounter with Sandhyavali: Sunatskumar and Sunanda perform a Gandharva marriage. Soon after, Sandhyavali, the Vidyadhara's sister, arrives seeking revenge. Sunanda declares that whoever avenges her brother will be her husband, and thus accepts Sunatskumar.
Battle with Ashaniveg and Victory: Sandhyavali's father, Ashaniveg, arrives with his army to avenge his son. A fierce battle ensues. Sunatskumar defeats Ashaniveg and prepares for a celebratory feast at Vaitadhya mountain.
Reunion with Mahendra and the Vidyadhara Kings: Sunatskumar, along with the eight Vidyadhara maidens and Sunanda, reunites with Mahendra. They decide to return to Hastinapur.
The Prophecy and Marriage to a Hundred Maidens: At Vaitadhya mountain, the king of the Vidyadharas reminds Sunatskumar of a prophecy that he would marry his hundred daughters. Sunatskumar agrees, and the marriages take place.
Return to Hastinapur and Coronation: Sunatskumar, with his vast retinue, returns to Hastinapur. His parents, King Ashwasen and Queen Sahadevi, are overjoyed. He is coronated as the Chakravarti.
The Arrival of Tirthankar Dharmanath: Tirthankar Dharmanath visits Hastinapur. King Ashwasen, Sunatskumar, and the citizens listen to his sermon on the impermanence of life and the importance of good deeds. Ashwasen decides to renounce the world and become a monk, and Sunatskumar is crowned king. Mahendra is appointed commander.
The Manifestation of the Chakravarti Jewels: The fourteen divine jewels, symbols of a Chakravarti, appear in the armory, signaling Sunatskumar's readiness for conquest.
Six-Continent Conquest: Sunatskumar embarks on his conquest of the six continents, accompanied by his allies. He returns to Hastinapur victorious.
Divine Coronation: The king of Saudharma heaven, Shakra, and Kuber arrive with divine gifts and perform Sunatskumar's ceremonial coronation. The celestial nymphs perform dances, and celestial musicians play.
The Pride of Beauty and the Test: Two celestial beings are sent to test Sunatskumar's pride. They visit him in the guise of Brahmins. While Sunatskumar is preparing for his bath, they witness his extraordinary beauty and remark on it.
The Realization of Impermanence: The Brahmins advise Sunatskumar to examine his beauty after his oil massage. They point out that his beauty is fading and that his body is prone to disease. When he spits, he sees worms in his saliva. This realization deeply affects Sunatskumar, shattering his pride and making him contemplate the transient nature of his body.
Renunciation and Asceticism: Sunatskumar abdicates his throne to his son and becomes a monk under Acharya Vinaydhar Suri. He dedicates himself to intense asceticism, observing fasts and living a simple life.
The Yaksha's Continued Enmity (Footnote): A footnote explains that the Yaksha encountered earlier was a king named Vikram in a past life, who had abducted a merchant's wife. This Yaksha harbored resentment from past lives, and King Vikram later became a renunciate.
The Bodily Suffering and Mental Equanimity: Sunatskumar endures severe physical ailments and suffering, including sores, boils, and birds pecking at his flesh. Despite this, he remains steadfast in his penance.
The Test by the Devas: Two celestial beings, disguised as physicians, approach Sunatskumar and offer to cure his physical ailments. Sunatskumar explains the difference between material diseases of the body and the "mental diseases" (anger, pride, greed, etc.). He asserts that his focus is on curing the latter through his penance.
Demonstration of Inner Power: To prove his point, Sunatskumar applies his own saliva to a wound, which immediately heals. He reiterates his commitment to spiritual practice over physical comfort.
Devas' Acknowledgment and Departure: Impressed by Sunatskumar's extreme penance, detachment, and spiritual powers, the celestial beings acknowledge their astonishment and depart.
Liberation: Sunatskumar continues his rigorous penance for 700 years, eventually achieving liberation (moksha) and rebirth in the fifth Sunatskumar heaven.

Moral of the Story:

The story emphasizes that outward beauty and worldly possessions are temporary and can lead to ego and attachment. True lasting value comes from spiritual discipline, detachment from the body, and virtuous deeds. The story highlights that the human body, though capable of great beauty, is ultimately frail and prone to disease. The ultimate purpose of life is spiritual development and liberation from the cycle of birth and death, achieved through self-control, austerity, and right conduct. The narrative effectively contrasts the vanity of worldly pride with the profound peace and power derived from spiritual endeavor.