Rupsen Charitra

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rupsen Charitra" by Jinsuri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Rupsen Charitra (The Biography of Rupsen) Author: Jinsuri (Original author), Pannalal Sharma (Translator) Publisher: Atmanand Jain Tract Society, Ambala City Publication Year: Vikram Samvat 1985 (1926 AD)

Summary:

The "Rupsen Charitra" is a Jain narrative that recounts the virtuous life and spiritual journey of Prince Rupsen, highlighting the principles of Jainism, the law of karma, and the importance of righteousness, renunciation, and adherence to vows.

The Story Begins:

The story starts in the city of Rajagriha in Magadha, ruled by King Manmath, a just and righteous king. During a rainy season, the king was boating on a river when he witnessed a divine being in the water, adorned with jewels. Following the being, the king was astonished to see its head detach and continue to move away. When the king retrieved the detached head, it transformed into a majestic elephant, which then carried the king to a dense forest.

Encounter with Spiritual Guidance:

In the forest, King Manmath encountered venerable Jain monks and received profound spiritual teachings. He was advised to renounce worldly attachments, such as wealth and youth, which are transient, and to dedicate himself to spiritual practices. The king learned that the divine being and the elephant he encountered were a manifestation of his own past karma and a spiritual guide. The divine being revealed that he had attained that form through the practice of householder dharma (grihasta dharma) and had come to admonish the king.

The King's Lament and Divine Intervention:

King Manmath expressed his sorrow over being childless, as he believed his lineage and kingdom would end without an heir. The monks assured him that by adhering to Dharma, he would have righteous sons. The divine being also gifted the king a golden cup that could cure all diseases, which he used to miraculously conceive and raise two sons, Rupsen and Rupraj. These princes grew up to be virtuous, learned, and skilled in various arts and sciences, embodying the ideal of a noble son who enhances his father's fame and righteousness.

The Marriage of Rupraj and the Public's Misunderstanding:

King Manmath sought suitable alliances for his sons. Prince Rupraj was betrothed to a princess from Dharanagari, the daughter of King Pratapsingh. However, astrological predictions indicated that the princess's union with Rupsen would lead to his death in the fourth circumambulation. Consequently, Rupraj married the princess. This situation led to public gossip, with people assuming Rupsen had some hidden flaw, causing him distress.

Rupsen's Departure and Trials:

Feeling misunderstood and hurt by the slander, Rupsen decided to leave his kingdom to protect his honor and seek solace. He secretly departed, encountering an ascetic who advised him against going to Kankapur due to the dangers along the path, including four powerful yogis dwelling in a banyan tree. Undeterred, Rupsen, firm in his faith and belief in his destiny, proceeded.

The Trickery of the Yogis and Rupsen's Ingenuity:

Upon reaching the banyan tree, Rupsen encountered the four yogis. They attempted to deceive him, claiming they possessed magical items: a staff that could revive the dead, a vessel that could feed a million people, flying sandals, and a rug that yielded gold. The yogis asked Rupsen to divide these items among them. Rupsen, with his wisdom, recognized their trickery. He devised a plan to seemingly distribute the items, and by cleverness, he managed to acquire the four magical items for himself. He then used the flying sandals to escape to Kankapur, leaving the disappointed yogis to wander as beggars.

Rupsen's Life in Kankapur and the Encounter with Kankavati:

In Kankapur, Rupsen's flying sandals brought him to a garden. He used the staff to revive a withered tree, bringing life back to the entire garden. The garden's owner, a gardener, was amazed. Rupsen's act of kindness and his refined demeanor impressed the gardener and his wife. Rupsen stayed with them, and through his divine items, he continued to perform acts of generosity and displayed his good qualities.

While observing Kankapur, Rupsen noticed a magnificent seven-story palace. The gardener's wife informed him it belonged to King Kanakbhram, whose daughter, Kankavati, was renowned for her beauty and accomplishments. By chance, Kankavati opened a particular door of her palace and saw Rupsen. Their eyes met, and an instant affection blossomed between them. Kankavati, determined to marry Rupsen, vowed to die if she couldn't. Rupsen, reciprocated her feelings.

The Secret Union and the King's Anger:

Rupsen, using his magical sandals, secretly visited Kankavati at night. Their clandestine meetings became known to the palace maids, who reported it to the queen, and then to the king. Enraged, King Kanakbhram ordered his guards to find the culprit. When the guards couldn't identify the person, the king, in his anger, ordered their execution.

The Prostitutes' Deal and Rupsen's Sacrifice:

Seven hundred prostitutes offered to find the culprit within a month, promising to face death themselves if they failed. They tried various methods, including marking Kankavati's room with vermilion. Rupsen, upon learning of the impending doom of the innocent guards and the prostitutes, decided to take the blame upon himself to save them. He changed into the clothes marked by the prostitutes and presented himself to the king, confessing to the crime.

The Sentence and the Gardener's Wife's Role:

The king, convinced by the evidence, ordered Rupsen's execution. The gardener's wife, who had witnessed Rupsen's acts of kindness and possessed the magical staff, went to the gallows and revived Rupsen using the staff. Rupsen, grateful for his life, returned to the gardener's house.

Rupsen's Continued Relationship with Kankavati and the Transformation:

Rupsen, with the help of the gardener's wife, secretly met Kankavati again. He revealed his true identity as Prince Rupsen of the Manmath dynasty. Kankavati, initially misled by the appearance of the magical items and Rupsen's disguise as a yogi, later discovered the truth. Rupsen, through his knowledge of herbs, transformed Kankavati into a monkey. He then took his magical items and left for his homeland.

Rupsen's Return and the Resolution:

In his kingdom, Rupsen was welcomed by his parents. He explained his experiences, including his twelve years of absence, the acquisition of magical items, and his marriage to Kankavati. He revealed that his transformation into a monkey was a result of a curse from the yogis he had tricked, in retaliation for his deception. Rupsen then used the magical herbs to restore Kankavati to her human form.

The King's Quest and the Yogi's Wisdom:

King Kanakbhram, witnessing Kankavati's plight, sought the help of yogis to find the culprit. He eventually met Rupsen, disguised as a yogi. Rupsen, through his wisdom and actions, convinced the king to release the imprisoned yogis and then revealed his true identity. The king, impressed by Rupsen's virtues and lineage, agreed to the marriage of Rupsen and Kankavati.

Spiritual Teachings and King Manmath's Pilgrimage:

After the wedding, Rupsen returned to his kingdom with Kankavati. He sought spiritual guidance from Jain ascetics and learned about his past lives, which explained his karma and the blessings he received. He understood the importance of virtues like compassion, charity, and adherence to religious vows. His father, King Manmath, was also deeply impacted by the teachings and embarked on a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay, a sacred Jain site, where he ultimately attained salvation.

Rupsen's Reign and Legacy:

King Rupsen ruled his kingdom with justice and righteousness, following the path of Dharma. The narrative concludes by emphasizing the importance of adhering to vows and the rewards that come with it, as exemplified by Rupsen's life. The text highlights that Rupsen, by diligently following the principles taught by the Jain ascetics, attained spiritual liberation and became a divine being.

Overall Themes:

• Karma and Rebirth: The story vividly illustrates the concept of karma and how past actions influence present and future lives.
• Importance of Dharma: It underscores the significance of adhering to righteous principles, virtues, and religious vows.
• Renunciation and Detachment: The narrative emphasizes the need to detach oneself from worldly possessions and transient pleasures.
• The Power of Faith and Devotion: Rupsen's unwavering faith in Jainism helps him overcome challenges.
• The Role of Spiritual Guidance: Jain monks play a crucial role in guiding the characters toward spiritual enlightenment.
• The Transient Nature of Life: The text frequently reminds readers of the impermanence of wealth, youth, and life itself.