Sachitra Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sachitra Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir" by M. Subba Rao:

This beautifully illustrated book, "Sachitra Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir" (Illustrated Shramana Bhagwan Mahavir), by M. Subba Rao, published by Sanmati, Hyderabad, is dedicated to the memory of Gurudev Shri Acharya Tulsiji. The author's preface justifies the need for yet another book on Lord Mahavir, emphasizing that the life of a great man, like a melodious song, can always be appreciated and understood from new perspectives. The book aims to inspire renewed faith and reverence, stating that skeptical logic is an outsider to its enjoyment.

The foreword highlights the ancient origins of Jainism, citing the Rigveda's praise of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha. It emphasizes how the spiritual and ascetic lives of the Tirthankaras inspire all, and this book serves as proof. The author, Mr. M. Subba Rao, was encouraged by the foreword writer to study key Jain works. The book's aim is to foster interest in Jainism among non-Jains and inspire Jain children, which the foreword writer believes has been achieved through its approximately 100 illustrations and accompanying texts.

The acknowledgments section expresses gratitude to various individuals who contributed to the book's creation, including those who helped with translations, illustrations, DTP work, printing, and providing Jainological knowledge.

A key section titled "Divine Message" (Divya Sandesh) features a quote from Acharya Shri Mahapragya Ji, who stresses the need to reorient the current materialistic age. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on guiding principles and sparking a sense of inevitability towards truth and dharma in the younger generation, calling it a social, national, and spiritual responsibility.

The book then proceeds to narrate the life of Lord Mahavir through illustrated episodes:

• Indra's Court and Premonition: Indra, the king of gods, eagerly awaits the incarnation of the 24th Tirthankara, Bhagawan Mahavira, in Kundagrama.
• Indra's Vision of Mahavira: Indra witnesses Mahavira in the womb of Devananda, a Brahmin woman, and pays respects.
• Indra's Dilemma and Resolution: Indra, noting that all previous Tirthankaras were born into Kshatriya families, has Harinegameshi transfer Mahavira's fetus from Devananda's womb to that of Rani Trishala, wife of King Siddhartha of Kshatriya Kunda.
• Kshatriya Kunda: The setting is described as the kingdom of Videha, ruled by the virtuous King Siddhartha and his devoted wife Trishala.
• Trishala's Divine Experience and the 14 Dreams: After conceiving Mahavira, Trishala experiences divine feelings and sees 14 auspicious dreams, which are then illustrated and described:
  1. Airavata (the Elephant): Indra's divine elephant.
  2. The Bull: A white, majestic bull.
  3. The Lion: A golden lion with a luxuriant mane.
  4. Shri Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth, attended by elephants.
  5. Hibiscus: A beautiful flower.
  6. The Moon: A radiant full moon.
  7. The Sun: A shining sun.
  8. The Holy Vessel: A sacred pot filled with holy water.
  9. The Ensign: A victorious flag with a lion symbol.
  10. The Lotus Pond: A pond filled with blooming lotuses.
  11. The Ocean of Milk: A divine ocean.
  12. The Throne: A decorated royal throne.
  13. The Celestial Plane: A divine flying chariot.
  14. The Flame: A bright, smokeless golden flame.
• The Omen of Dreams: King Siddhartha's court astrologers interpret these dreams as foretelling the birth of a great and spiritually elevated son.
• The Birth of Bhagawan Mahavira: Mahavira is born to Trishala and Siddhartha during the Uttara Phalguni star. The kingdom flourishes, and the child is named Vardhamana (meaning "one who grows").
• Childhood Incidents:
  • Playing on the Amalaka Tree: An eight-year-old Vardhamana fearlessly handles a snake.
  • A Mighty Elephant Humbled: Vardhamana calmly confronts a rampaging elephant, which bows to him, demonstrating his innate power over animalistic tendencies.
  • Education - Self-Knowledge: Despite his innate wisdom, his parents send him to a Brahmin teacher, who recognizes Vardhamana's profound self-knowledge.
  • Sanmati (One Endowed with Truthful Mind): Disciples of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha, visit Vardhamana and are impressed by his spiritual insight, bestowing upon him the title "Sanmati."
• Marriage: Vardhamana, though inclined towards renunciation, marries Yashoda, daughter of King Jitashatru of Kalinga, and they have a daughter, Priyadarshana.
• The Accumulated Knowledge of Past Births: Unattached to married life, Vardhamana meditates and gains knowledge of his past lives.
• Previous Lives: The book details several of Mahavira's past lives and the lessons learned:
  • Nayasara: A bodyguard who served a king and later became a celestial being.
  • Marichi: Grandson of the first Tirthankara Vrishabhanatha, who later became the 24th Tirthankara himself.
  • Triprishta Vasudeva: A prince whose anger leads to a significant karmic consequence, later atoned for through devotion to a Tirthankara.
  • Emperor Pottila: A virtuous ruler who eventually renounces his kingdom to become a monk.
• Mind Bent Upon Attaining Spiritual Knowledge: Vardhamana actively seeks ultimate knowledge through study and meditation.
• Sallekhana: The Complete Renunciation: King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala undertake Sallekhana (religious fasting and detachment) before their passing.
• Acceptance of Sanyasa: Vardhamana renounces his kingdom, distributing wealth to the people, and accepts the vow of monkhood (Sanyasa), tearing off his own hair. He attains "Manah Paryaya" knowledge.
• Obeisance and Prostrations: Verses express deep reverence and devotion to Bhagawan Mahavira.
• The Cowherd and His Audacity: Mahavira, meditating, is disturbed by a cowherd who wrongly suspects him. Nandivardhana intervenes, and Mahavira explains the importance of self-reliance.
• Kollanga Sannivesa: Mahavira breaks his fast with a Brahmin, receiving divine blessings.
• Moraka Sannivesa: Mahavira meditates in an ashram, and when cows damage property, he leaves to avoid being a burden, vowing to live self-sufficiently.
• Victory Over the Yaksha: Mahavira meditates in a temple guarded by a fearsome Yaksha (Shulapaniyaksha), whom he subdues through his spiritual power, leading the Yaksha to leave.
• Ahimsa - Respect for Life: Mahavira meditates in a dangerous forest inhabited by the venomous serpent Chandakaushika. Mahavira's calmness and non-violence transform the serpent, which bites him but then seeks his forgiveness.
• Journey on the Ganges: Mahavira's peaceful demeanor on a turbulent river crossing reassures passengers.
• Obstacles to Composure: In Vajrabhoomi, Mahavira faces cruelty from locals, who stone and injure him, but he endures with a smile, eventually earning their remorse and forgiveness.
• Overcoming Canine Fury: In Samhabhoomi, Mahavira is attacked by dogs, but his unwavering resolve and acceptance of suffering, seen as karma, protect him. Locals are ashamed and seek his forgiveness.
• The Ruler of the Realm of the Mind: Mahavira encounters a soothsayer who recognizes his kingly bearing. Mahavira explains he is now a king of his own mind, ruling through non-violence, meditation, and truth.
• Conversation with Utpala: A Jain monk, Utpala, recognizes Mahavira's spiritual progress and interprets his past experiences through symbolic visions, foretelling his attainment of Kevalajnana and the establishment of Dharma.
• Beyond Temptations and Honours: Mahavira declines the hospitality of a local ruler, continuing his spiritual journey.
• Divinity in Human Form: In Purimtal, Mahavira's presence at a ruined temple leads a couple to recognize true divinity in him over the stone idol, reinforcing the concept of immanent divinity.
• Slander: Mahavira and Makkali Goshala are wrongly accused of being thieves, but two disciples intervene, revealing Mahavira's true nature, leading to the soldiers' remorse and Mahavira's blessing.
• The Story of Chandanabala: The tragic story of Princess Vasumati, forced into slavery and mistreated by her merchant mistress, is told. Mahavira, seeing her suffering in meditation, accepts alms only from her, her purity restoring her former state.
• Kevalajnana (Omniscience): Mahavira attains Kevalajnana, the ultimate knowledge, after 12 years, 6 months, and 15 days of asceticism. The event is celebrated by gods, and he embarks on his mission as an Arhant.
• Discussion at the Yagna Shala: At a sacrificial ceremony, the Rithviks are more drawn to Mahavira's divine presence.
• Samavasarana: Mahavira, having attained Kevalajnana, sits on a divine pulpit and begins to preach, attracting all beings. He intends to stop a sacrificial ritual.
• Granting of Jnana to Indrabhuti Gautama: The chief Rithvik, Indrabhuti Gautama, impressed by Mahavira's divine presence, approaches him, sheds his ego, and accepts Jain teachings, becoming Mahavira's chief disciple along with his 500 followers.
• From the Vaidik Tradition to the Path of Shamanas: Other Rithviks and Chandanabala also follow Mahavira, embracing Jain principles.
• Telling About the Lives of Tirthankaras: Mahavira begins to narrate the lives of the 23 Tirthankaras and Arhanta Bahubali.
• The Stories of the Tirthankaras (1st to 23rd): The book then briefly details the lives, birth, renunciation, and attainment of Kevalajnana for each of the 23 Tirthankaras (Shri Adinatha to Shri Parshvanatha), providing their parents' names, kingdoms, and key events.
• Arhanta Shri Bahubali: The story of Bahubali, son of Rishabhanatha, who fought his brother Bharata and later achieved Kevalajnana through rigorous penance, is recounted.
• Swamy in Rajagriha: Mahavira's fame spreads, and he visits Rajagriha, preaching to King Srenika and his family. Prince Megha renounces his worldly life and becomes Meghamuni.
• The Self-Esteem of Meghamuni: Meghamuni struggles with the austerities of monastic life. Mahavira shows him a past life where he, as an elephant named Meruprabha, sacrificed himself to save a rabbit, highlighting the rewards of compassion and self-denial.
• Samyak Darshana - Jina Dharma: Mahavira imparts the principles of Jain Dharma to his disciples, emphasizing non-violence, self-control, truth, and detachment from worldly desires as the path to Moksha.
• Shramana Bhagawan Mahavira Swamy in Kshatriyakund: Mahavira returns to his birthplace, where his daughter Priyadarshana and son-in-law Jamali accept his teachings, becoming disciples.
• The Story of Shri Ananda: The book narrates the story of Ananda, a wealthy householder, who, inspired by Mahavira's teachings, embraces the vows of a Jain householder and attains spiritual insight.
• The Sankalpa Siddhi of Shramanopasaka Ananda and Sampoorna Siddhi of Gauthama Indrabhooti: Ananda attains supra-sensory sight through his penance. Gauthama Indrabhooti doubts this but is corrected by Mahavira, who explains the possibility of such attainment for householders and forecasts Ananda's future spiritual progress.
• Swamy Sends Gauthama Indrabhuti to Devasharma: Mahavira instructs Indrabhuti to impart knowledge to a Brahmin named Devasharma, who questions the practice of non-violence in the face of danger. Indrabhuti explains the principles, and Mahavira's vision provides further clarification on the transient nature of life and the importance of spiritual pursuit.
• The Nirvana of Shramana Bhagawan Mahavira Swamy: Mahavira delivers his final discourse in Apapapuri and attains Nirvana, becoming a Siddha. The gods, led by Indra, escort him to his heavenly abode. His disciples and kings mourn his passing and establish the Vira Nirvana era.

The book concludes with repeated salutations to Shramana Bhagawan Mahavira. Overall, "Sachitra Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir" is a comprehensive, visually rich, and spiritually inspiring account of the life and teachings of Lord Mahavira, presented with a focus on his exemplary journey and the profound philosophical principles of Jainism.