Samaraditya Mahakatha Part 1

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samarāditya Mahākathā Part 1" by Bhadraguptasuri, based on the provided pages. Please note that as the original text is in Gujarati, the summary focuses on extracting and translating the key information and narrative elements.

Samarāditya Mahākathā Part 1: A Comprehensive Summary

This book, Samarāditya Mahākathā Part 1, authored by Acharya Shri VijaybhadraGupta Surishwarji (Shri Priyadarshan), published by Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra Koba, is the first part of a larger narrative. It is a retelling of the original Samarāditya Kathā (also known as Samarāichakahā) by Acharya Haribhadrasuri, composed around the 8th century CE in Prakrit.

Author and Publisher:

• Author: Acharya Shri VijaybhadraGupta Surishwarji (Shri Priyadarshan)
• Publisher: Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Edition: Third edition, dated Ashadh Shukla 12, VS 2073 (August 2007).
• Value: ₹400 for all three parts.
• Financial Support: In memory of Seth Shri Niranjan Narottamdas, sponsored by Seth Shri Narottamdas Lalbhai Family.

About the Author (Acharya Shri VijaybhadraGupta Surishwarji):

The book includes a biographical sketch of the author, Acharya Shri VijaybhadraGupta Surishwarji. He was born in 1892 (VS 1989) in Pudagam, Mahesana (Gujarat). He was initiated at the age of 18 in Ranpur (Saurashtra) by Acharya Shrimad Vijaypremsurishwarji Maharaja and became a disciple of Poojya Bhuvanbhanusurishwarji. His life was dedicated to study and teaching, delving into the 45 Āgamas, philosophy, Indian and Western thought, and literature. His writing journey began at the age of 20 with 'Mahāpanthano Yātrī' and continued until his last days, producing original literature, philosophical analyses, long narratives, short stories, poems, and guidance through letters. He was known for his cheerful disposition, amiable personality, and commitment to the welfare of humanity. He took 'Āchārya' pada in Kolhapur on 4-5-1987. He passed away on 19-11-1999 in Shymal, Ahmedabad, after facing various ailments while continuously creating literature.

About the Text and its Purpose:

• The Samarāditya Mahākathā is highly popular and read with interest across sectarian lines. Some monks and nuns use it in their discourses.
• The author expresses humility, stating he is not yet fully deserving of the praise received. He pledges to continue writing towards human upliftment in self-beauty, self-strength, and self-excellence.
• The author experienced profound divine grace while writing this story during moments of happiness, equating happiness with divine grace.
• He cites the philosopher Āmbar Kāmū, who wrote, "Writing means becoming detached! Art has a kind of detachment!" He believes that reading this Mahākathā with a joyful heart and focused mind leads to detachment and renunciation. If not, the reader is considered 'abhāvī' or 'durbhāvī'.
• The author experienced all nine rasas (aesthetic sentiments) while writing this Mahākathā and repeatedly resolved not to fall prey to passions (kashāyas).
• The text was written in the serene atmosphere of Panchgani.

The Narrative and its Themes:

The Samarāditya Mahākathā is a religious narrative (Dharmakathanuyoga) that depicts the struggles of two souls through nine lifetimes (nav-nav janmo). The core message is Bhavvairāgya (dispassion towards worldly existence). The text aims to inspire detachment and spiritual upliftment in the reader. It highlights how the soul suffers due to the consequences of negative tendencies (kashāyas). The story intertwines the lives of souls succumbing to vices and those treading the righteous path for self-development.

The author states that the narrative spans nine births. The original work is in Prakrit, and this Gujarati version is a rendering by Pujya Shri Bhadraguptasuri, maintaining the seriousness of the original while incorporating all rasas in simple Gujarati. The author explains that while the core plot is from Acharya Haribhadrasuri, he has adapted the characters in a modern style, enlarged some incidents, omitted some descriptions from the original, and added new ones, all while carefully ensuring no character was misrepresented and the overall narrative remained true to the original intent.

Key Elements and Previous Publications:

• Origin: The original Samarāichcharia in Prakrit is found in a palm-leaf manuscript in Khambhat from VS 1299.
• Alternative Titles: Acharya Udyotansuri named it 'Samara-mianka Kahā', Acharya Devachandrasuri called it 'Samarāi Kahā-Prabandha', and Kalikāla Sarvajña Shri Hemchandrasuriji referred to it as 'Sakala Kathā'.
• Structure: The story unfolds across nine births, detailing the struggles of two souls.
• Literary Style: The narration is described as pleasant, simple, ornate, yet profound.
• Sub-plots: Numerous sub-narratives are woven into the main story, carrying philosophical teachings.
• Praise: The text is praised for its rich use of alankārs (figures of speech) and rasas.
• Inspiration: The natural beauty of Panchgani inspired the author.
• Assistance: Muni Bhadra Bahu played a significant role in the creation, and Mahasati Padmabai helped in the meticulous correction and review of the reprint.
• Previous Publications: The book acknowledges previous publications, including one edited by Prof. Hermann Jacobi (Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1926), B.H. Doshi (two parts with Sanskrit translation, 1938 & 1942), Madhusudan Modi, and publications by Bharatiya Jnanpith, Delhi (1993 with Hindi translation), and Gujarati translations by Acharya Hemsagarsuriji.

First Birth: "Shodh-Pratishodh" (Search-Revenge)

The first birth is detailed, focusing on the characters of Guṇasen (King) and Agnisharma (Son of a Priest). The story begins in the city of Kshitipratishthit, in Mahavideha region.

• The Plot: Prince Guṇasen, along with his friends, enjoys tormenting Agnisharma, a physically unattractive boy chosen as their victim. Agnisharma's parents are helpless against the prince's cruelty. The story describes the planned mockery of Agnisharma, including parading him on a donkey adorned with colorful paints, crowning him with thorns, and making him carry an old sieve as an umbrella. The friends intend to throw him into a well and make him repeatedly dive. The narrative details the suffering of Agnisharma and his parents' despair.
• Social Commentary: The text touches upon the power dynamics of royalty and the helplessness of common citizens, as well as the potential for inherent virtues to be revealed even in an 'unfortunate' appearance, as suggested by the preceptors' description of characters' potential for renunciation.

The summary also touches on the historical context of the original text and the efforts of the publishing institution, Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba, in preserving and re-publishing Jain literature. It highlights the Kendra's various activities and facilities, including the Mahavirālay, Guru Mandir, Knowledge Temple, Ārādhanā Bhavan, Mumukshu Kutir, Ālpāhār Gṛha, Shrut Sarita (bookstore), Nagi Dharamshala, and Bhojanashala. The summary concludes with the establishment of Vishwamaitri Dham in Borij, Gandhinagar.

Overall, Samarāditya Mahākathā Part 1 is presented as a significant Jain text that, through the retelling of ancient narratives, aims to guide readers towards spiritual understanding, detachment from worldly desires, and ultimately, liberation.