Samb Kumar Tatha Pradyumna Kumar

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Samb Kumar tatha Pradyumna Kumar" by Motilal, based on the provided pages:

This book, "Samb Kumar tatha Pradyumna Kumar," is a Jain narrative compiled by Motilal. The author, Motilal, expresses a desire to present factual stories that uplift the mind rather than fabricated ones, noting the increasing public interest in reading stories in the current era. He dedicates the book to Giradharbhai Anandji, praising his philanthropic spirit, dedication to Jainism, sharp intellect in societal matters, unwavering faith, and commitment to religious practices like vows and fasts, alongside his advocacy for animal welfare.

The story revolves around the divine lineage connected to Lord Krishna. It begins with Krishna's queens, Rukmini and Satyabhama, each having a dream that leads to a competition to see who will bear the first child. Rukmini dreams of a bull in a celestial chariot, and Krishna predicts she will have a noble son. Satyabhama, driven by jealousy, claims to have dreamt of an elephant and, when Krishna recognizes her deception, they make a pact: the queen whose son is born first will have the other offer the hair from her head as a tribute.

Rukmini gives birth to Pradyumna, a son of exceptional brilliance, named after the concept of awakening. The next day, Satyabhama gives birth to Bhanu. An asura named Dharmaketu, holding a past grudge, abducts Rukmini's son, Pradyumna, taking him to a mountain and leaving him on a rock. A Vidyadhara king, Kalankara, finds the infant and brings him home, giving him to his wife, Kanakmala, who raises him as their own son.

Lord Krishna is deeply distressed by Pradyumna's disappearance. Narada Muni informs him of Pradyumna's whereabouts and that, due to a karmic bond from a past life where Rukmini cared for peacock eggs for sixteen years, Pradyumna will be reunited with his parents after sixteen years.

As Pradyumna grows into youth, Kanakmala, the Vidyadhara's wife, is captivated by his beauty and proposition him. Pradyumna, recognizing her as a mother figure, rebukes her. Kanakmala then reveals the truth of his adoption and offers him two powerful Vidyas: Gaurim and Prajnyapti, which he accepts. When Kanakmala persists, Pradyumna leaves. In her rage, Kanakmala tears her own body and calls out to her son, who then attacks Pradyumna. Pradyumna, using his newfound Vidyas, defeats and captures Kanakmala's son and then her husband.

During this time, Narada arrives and reveals Pradyumna's true identity and the situation with his parents in Dwarka. He informs Pradyumna that his stepmother, Satyabhama, will have to offer her hair to Rukmini if Bhanu doesn't marry first. He also foretells that Satyabhama will suffer from Pradyumna's separation.

Pradyumna, now aware of his lineage and the predicament, disguises himself and returns to Dwarka. He disrupts Bhanu's wedding preparations by making the wedding venue's flowers, fruits, and water disappear. He then creates an illusionary horse to lure Bhanu, throwing him off. Disguised as a Brahmin, Pradyumna encounters Satyabhama's maid, Kubja, and restores her deformed hand. The maid escorts him to Satyabhama, who is impressed and asks the "Brahmin" to make her more beautiful than Rukmini. Pradyumna instructs her to shave her head, wear old clothes, and chant a mantra, which she does.

Pradyumna then goes to Rukmini's palace and sits on Krishna's throne. Rukmini expresses concern, as only Krishna or his son can occupy it. Pradyumna claims to be a great ascetic who has come for his vow observance. He asks Rukmini for food. Rukmini offers him kheer, explaining that she awaits her son's return after sixteen years and suffers greatly from his absence. Pradyumna reciprocates, stating he misses his mother and that their separation will end soon. He dislikes the kheer and asks for the sweets (modaks) made for Krishna, which Rukmini hesitates to give, stating they are only for Krishna. Pradyumna insists, and Rukmini, with some doubt, gives him the modaks. He consumes all of them, impressing Rukmini with his immense appetite.

Meanwhile, Satyabhama, engaged in her chanting, learns that the wedding materials and the bride have been spirited away. Enraged, she sends her maids to Rukmini to demand her hair. The disguised Pradyumna fills the maids' baskets with their own hair, unbeknownst to them. Satyabhama, seeing her maids with shaven heads, is shocked and confronts Krishna. Krishna points out she is already shaven and questions her desire to disfigure Rukmini. Satyabhama insists Krishna retrieve the hair. Krishna sends Balarama to Rukmini's, but Balarama returns after seeing Pradyumna disguised as Krishna on the throne, feeling ashamed. Balarama then sees Krishna in the assembly, accusing him of creating multiple forms. Krishna denies it, but Satyabhama insists Krishna is behind everything. A disheartened Krishna returns home. Narada then reveals to Krishna and Rukmini that the one impersonating Krishna is their son, Pradyumna.

Pradyumna, embracing his parents, asks them to remain silent until he demonstrates a remarkable feat. He then takes Rukmini in a chariot, announcing he is abducting her and challenging anyone with Krishna's strength to stop him. Krishna, thinking it's an illusionist, pursues Pradyumna with his army. Pradyumna, using his powers, disarms Krishna and his army. Narada intervenes to clear Krishna's doubt. Pradyumna apologizes to Krishna, explaining his actions were for amusement. Krishna rejoices and brings Pradyumna into the city with great celebration.

Later, King Duryodhana informs Krishna that his daughter has been abducted. Krishna, feigning ignorance, is relieved when Pradyumna offers to find her. Pradyumna brings the princess back and is asked by Krishna and Duryodhana to marry her. Pradyumna, however, insists she should marry Bhanu. Impressed by his noble intention, many Vidyadhara kings and rulers offer their daughters to Pradyumna.

Satyabhama, looking distressed and thin, tells Krishna she desires a son like Pradyumna. Krishna undertakes a penance to propitiate the deity Hari, who grants him a garland that bestows desired sons. Pradyumna learns of this and, through magic, makes Jambavati (another wife of Krishna) impersonate Satyabhama. Hari places the garland on Jambavati, and as a result, a deity reincarnates in Jambavati's womb. Later, Satyabhama approaches Krishna, and he realizes the deity's desire for continued enjoyment. He then has relations with Satyabhama. At this opportune moment, Pradyumna plays a conch shell, causing Krishna to become agitated. Krishna then tells Satyabhama she will have a son. The next morning, Krishna sees the garland on Jambavati and suspects Pradyumna's trick.

In due course, Jambavati gives birth to Shamb, and Satyabhama gives birth to Bhiru. The two princes grow and play. Shamb frequently frightens Bhiru. Satyabhama complains to Krishna that Shamb bullies Bhiru. Krishna relays this to Jambavati, who defends her son. To prove the point, Krishna and Jambavati disguise themselves as a cowherd and a cowherd's wife, respectively, selling yogurt. Shamb sees them and asks the "cowherd's wife" to come to him. He leads her to an empty house and begins to play tricks. Krishna and Jambavati reveal their true forms, causing Shamb to flee. Krishna tells Jambavati to witness her son's actions, but she dismisses it as child's play. Krishna remarks that a lioness sees her offspring as brave and gentle.

The next day, Shamb, carrying a nail, declares loudly that he will strike the mouth of anyone who reveals his actions from the previous day. Krishna orders Shamb to leave the city. Shamb, after learning some Vidyas from Pradyumna, departs. Bhiru continues to trouble Pradyumna, leading Satyabhama to suggest Pradyumna leave like Shamb. Pradyumna agrees to go to the cremation ground and return when Satyabhama brings Shamb back holding his hand.

Satyabhama then gathers ninety-nine maidens to complete a hundred brides for Shamb. Pradyumna, learning of this, disguises himself as King Jitasatru, makes Shamb his adopted daughter, and creates an illusionary army. He camps outside Dwarka. Satyabhama requests the princess in marriage. King Jitasatru (Pradyumna) agrees, provided Satyabhama personally brings the princess into the city and places her hand in Bhiru's at the wedding. Satyabhama agrees. As she leads the princess, the citizens see Shamb and Pradyumna in the princess's and Satyabhama's forms. At the wedding, Shamb cleverly arranges for Bhiru to hold his father's left hand and Satyabhama's right hand, and then for Satyabhama to hold the ninety-nine maidens' right hands. He then performs the wedding rituals, marrying all the maidens to himself.

Shamb takes the maidens to the bridal chamber. Bhiru follows, but Shamb reveals his true form, frightening Bhiru, who flees to his mother. Satyabhama rushes to the chamber, and Shamb again reveals his true form. Satyabhama, angered, demands to know who brought him there. Shamb states she did and that she married him to the maidens, with the townspeople as witnesses. The townspeople confirm Shamb's account. Amazed by Shamb's illusion, the furious Satyabhama, helpless, retreats to her home. Thus, Shamb becomes the husband of ninety-nine women through deception. All the Yadavas begin to consider Shamb and Pradyumna as equal in prowess.

One day, a king gifts Krishna a spirited horse. Shamb and Palak, Krishna's sons, request the horse. Krishna declares that whoever first bows to Lord Neminath the next morning will receive the horse. Palak wakes up early, wakes his father, and they are the first to venerate the Lord. Palak then asks for the horse, and Krishna says he will give it after consulting the Lord. Shamb, however, remains devoted and meditates on the Lord. At the assembly, Krishna asks the Lord who bowed first. The Lord replies that Palak offered outward reverence, while Shamb offered inner reverence. Krishna then gives the horse to Shamb.

Later, influenced by the Lord's teachings, Shamb and Pradyumna both take initiation (diksha). They attain liberation (Siddhi) on the 13th of Phalgun (a month) on the Shri Siddhachal mountain, in the Bhadrood hill region, along with seven to eight crore (tens of millions) of monks.

The author, Motilal, concludes with reflections on the importance of knowledge and respecting the knowledgeable for developing sharp intellect and performing astonishing deeds. He reiterates that envy is detrimental and leads to karmic bondage, advising against it. The book also includes a section on detachment ("Viragya Pad") with verses lamenting the impermanence of the body and the futility of worldly pride and attachment.