Sadharmik Vatsalya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sadharmik Vatsalya" by Ramanlal C Shah, based on the provided pages:

Understanding Sadharmik Vatsalya

The text "Sadharmik Vatsalya" (literally, "affection for co-religionists") explores a significant ethical and practical aspect of Jainism. It highlights that Sadharmik Vatsalya, along with terms like Sadharmik Bhakti and Swamivatsalya, refers to a core duty and virtue within the Jain faith.

Importance in Observances

During Paryushan: Sadharmik Vatsalya is identified as a crucial duty for lay Jains (Shravaks) during the Paryushan festival.
Eleven Duties: The text lists eleven important good deeds prescribed by ancient scholars to be performed annually during Paryushan, and Sadharmik Bhakti is one of them.
Five Key Practices: Some learned monks consider five principal ways to observe Paryushan, with Sadharmik Vatsalya being a central component.
Varied Classifications: While different classifications of duties exist (e.g., eleven or twenty-one), Sadharmik Bhakti/Swamivatsalya consistently holds a significant place.

Who is a Sadharmik?

A Sadharmik (or Sadhmi) is defined as someone who follows the same religion. In Jainism, this includes:

Those born into a Jain family.
Those who have faith in the Jain Dharma.
Worshippers of the divine beings (Deva) and spiritual preceptors (Guru).
Devotees of the Navkar Mantra.

While birth into a Jain family is common, it's not the sole criterion. The essential element is adherence to and faith in Jain principles.

The Foundation of Sadharmik Vatsalya

Reciprocity and Tradition: The text emphasizes that the temples, prayer halls (Upashray), and other religious facilities we utilize are a result of the efforts of our Sadharmiks – our elders and predecessors. Therefore, it is our duty to contribute to the tradition for future generations.
Perennial Tradition: This tradition of Sadharmik support and infrastructure has continued for thousands of years, wherever Jains reside.

Sadharmik Vatsalya as an Achara (Conduct)

Dual Nature: Sadharmik Vatsalya is categorized into two forms:
- Dravya Sadharmik Vatsalya (Material Support): This involves providing material assistance such as food, clothing, medicine, and shelter to fellow Jains.
- Bhava Sadharmik Vatsalya (Mental/Emotional Support): This involves cultivating brotherly affection, love, and goodwill towards Sadharmiks.
Part of Dashanachara: Sadharmik Vatsalya is specifically identified as the seventh component of Dashanachara (conduct related to right faith), one of the five Panchacharas (five main aspects of Jain conduct). This implies that true right faith cannot exist without practicing Sadharmik Vatsalya.

Historical Examples and Narratives

The text provides several historical anecdotes to illustrate the importance and practice of Sadharmik Vatsalya:

Rishabhdev Bhagwan and Bharat Chakravarti: The practice began with the first Tirthankar, Rishabhdev, and his son Bharat. When Bharat prepared elaborate offerings for the Tirthankar, he was instructed to offer them to Sadharmiks instead. This led to the tradition of feeding and honoring Sadharmiks. The difficulty in identifying true Sadharmiks led to the development of identification markers like the Kakini Ratna (a gem with three marks) and later, sacred threads made of gold, silver, and cotton.
King Dandaveerya: A descendant of Bharat, King Dandaveerya, made it a rule to feed Sadharmik Jains from the royal kitchen before he himself would eat. His devotion was tested by Indra (the celestial king), who created thousands of fake Sadharmiks. Despite the challenge and the ensuing fasts, Dandaveerya's unwavering commitment earned him divine favor and rewards, including a directive to renovate the holy site of Shatrunjay.
Shubhankar Shreshti: Another exemplary figure mentioned for his commitment to Sadharmik Bhakti.
King Sambhavanath (Vimalvahan): In a past life, as King Vimalvahan, his generosity and care for the distressed, including Sadharmiks, during a famine helped him earn Tirthankar (Buddha-like) Namakarma. His birth as Sambhavanath was also preceded by a prophecy of abundant food, reflecting the essence of Sadharmik well-being.
King Kumarpal and Acharya Hemchandrasuri: King Kumarpal, initially a follower of Shiva, was inspired by the great Jain scholar Hemchandrasuri to embrace Jainism and its principles. Kumarpal's royal proclamation of Sadharmik Bhakti was prompted by Hemchandrasuri's simple life and a humble offering from a poor Shravak. Kumarpal's reign saw significant expenditure on Sadharmik welfare, including establishing charitable institutions.
Uda Marwari and Udyan Mantri: Uda, a poor Marwari, found solace and support in a Jain temple and was taken in by a wealthy Jain woman, Laachi. Through his intelligence and hard work, he rose to become Udyan Mantri (Minister Udyan) to King Siddhraj. The text credits Udyan Mantri with bringing the great Acharya Hemchandrasuri into public service.

Practical Application in Daily Life

Celebrating Milestones: Jains are encouraged to include their Sadharmiks in celebrations like childbirth, birthdays, housewarmings, and weddings, rather than celebrating alone.
Financial Support with Respect: A portion of wealth should be set aside to help needy Sadharmiks, with utmost respect and honor.
Beyond Material Aid: Sadharmik Bhakti extends beyond material help to include religious and spiritual support. Those who are wealthy but neglect religious duties should be encouraged to participate.
Discernment and Wisdom: The text stresses the importance of practicing Sadharmik Vatsalya with discretion (Auchitya). Blind devotion is discouraged. If a financially needy Jain begins to misuse aid for gambling or addictions, they should not receive further financial support but should be gently counseled.
Swamivatsalya: The term Swamivatsalya, often referring to communal dining, is a part of Sadharmik Vatsalya. While communal meals foster affection, they do not encompass the entirety of the duty.

The Generosity of Jains

The text concludes by stating that Sadharmik Vatsalya is the reason Jains are considered among the most generous people worldwide, extending their kindness not only to fellow Jains but also to non-Jains. A true Jain heart is characterized by softness and compassion. Miserly or stingy individuals cannot truly experience Sadharmik Vatsalya.

The Ultimate Goal

The text quotes scriptures highlighting that those who do not uplift the poor, do not practice Sadharmik Vatsalya, and do not hold Lord Mahavira in their hearts have wasted their life. The ultimate purpose is to embody the spirit of generosity, compassion, and mutual support within the religious community.