Samkhitta Taramgavai Kaha - Book Summary

Samkhitta Taramgavai Katha (Taranglolā): A Comprehensive Summary

Book Title: Samkhitta Taramgavai Kaha (Taranglolā) Author(s): H C Bhayani (Editor and Translator) Publisher: L D Indology, Ahmedabad Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/004633/1

This summary provides an overview of the Jain text "Samkhitta Taramgavai Kaha," also known as "Taranglolā," an abridged version of the lost "Taramgavai" by Acarya Padalipta (circa 1st century AD). This abridged text, dating possibly to the 10th century AD, was edited and translated into Gujarati by H. C. Bhayani.

Background and Significance:

Lost Original: The original "Taramgavai" by Acarya Padaliarpta, believed to be a significant work of early Jain Prakrit literature, is now lost.
Abridgement: "Samkhitta Taramgavai Kaha" is an early abridgement of this lost text, containing approximately 1643 Prakrit verses. The abridger states they selected verses from the original and omitted difficult desya (local) words to make it accessible.
Linguistic Importance: The text is considered a rare specimen of archaic Jain Mahārāṣṭri Prakrit, offering valuable insights for language studies, including grammatical forms and desya words.
Literary Merit: The story is described as rich in poetic descriptions, fresh imagination, vivid characterization, novel situations, and skillful handling of human emotions. Its realistic portrayal reflects the society of the time.
Influence: The original "Taramgavai" had a considerable influence on later Prakrit narrative literature.
Rediscovery: The L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, has published this edition, making this important literary work accessible to scholars and lovers of Prakrit literature.

Content and Narrative:

The text, compiled by an anonymous author, recounts the life and transmigration of Tarangavati, a woman whose story spans multiple lifetimes. The narrative is structured into several key sections, each detailing different phases of her journey:

Preface and Introduction: The preface by the editors and the introduction by Dr. H. C. Bhayani provide context about the lost original, the abridgement, and the significance of the text.
Story Preface (Katha Pitha):
- Magadha Country: Sets the scene in the prosperous Magadha region.
- Rajagriha City: Describes the beautiful city of Rajagriha.
- King Kunika: Introduces King Kunika, a devout follower of Mahavir.
- City Treasurer Dhanpal: Introduces the wealthy and virtuous treasurer Dhanpal and his wife Somā.
- Ganini Sutrā: Introduces Ganini Sutrā, a learned nun, and her disciplined disciples.
- The Disciple's Alms Round: Details a disciplined disciple's journey for alms, highlighting her virtuous conduct and the awe she inspires in onlookers.
- Description of Beauty: The physical beauty of the disciple captivates the onlookers, particularly the householder's wife, who is struck by her divine appearance.
- The Housewife's Astonishment: The housewife marvels at the disciple's beauty, considering her divine or a celestial being.
- The Glory of the Dharma Sermon: The disciple engages in a dharma sermon, emphasizing the importance of listening to virtuous teachings.
- Request for Autobiography: The housewife, captivated, requests the disciple to narrate her life story.
Childhood and Youth (Bachpan and Tarunya):
- Vatsa Country: Shifts the setting to the prosperous Vatsa country.
- Kausambi City: Describes the grand city of Kausambi on the banks of the Yamuna River.
- King Udayan: Introduces King Udayan, known for his valor and righteousness.
- City Treasurer Rishabhashana: Introduces the treasurer Rishabhashana, a close friend of the king.
- Birth of Tarangavati: Describes the birth of Tarangavati, the daughter of the treasurer, named so due to the Yamuna's waves.
- Childhood: Recounts her idyllic childhood filled with play and affection.
- Education: Details her education in various arts and sciences, including writing, mathematics, painting, music, and dance.
- Youth: Describes her blooming youth and the admiration she garnered.
- Bhalana's Arrival: Introduces Bhalana and describes the autumn season.
- Offering to Saptaparna Flowers: Tarangavati offers flowers.
- Tarangavati's Test: A narrative involving a test related to the flowers' fragrance and color, revealing her keen observation and knowledge.
Picnic (Ujani):
- Proposal for a Picnic: The story moves to the preparation and journey for a picnic.
- Preparations and Departure: Details the arrangements and the procession to the picnic spot.
- Garden Visit: Describes the beauty of the garden.
- Saptaparna: Focuses on the Saptaparna tree.
- Brahmarī's Dance: Describes the dance of bees around the flowers.
- Lotus Lake: Depicts the beauty of a lotus lake.
- Tarangavati's Swoon: Tarangavati faints upon seeing a pair of chakravaka birds, triggering memories of her past life.
- Cheti's Inquiry: Her attendant inquires about her condition.
- Tarangavati's Explanation: She explains the reason for her swoon, related to her past life as a chakravaki.
Chakravaka Couple (Tarangavati's Past Life):
- Ganga River: Sets the scene by the Ganga river.
- The Chakravaki: Introduces the chakravaki, revealing it to be Tarangavati's past life.
- The Chakravaka: Introduces her mate.
- Elephant and Hunter: A wild elephant and a hunter appear in the narrative.
- The Wounded Chakravaka: The chakravaka is wounded by the hunter's arrow.
- Chakravaka's Lament: The male chakravaka laments the injury to his mate.
- Cremation: The chakravaka couple are cremated.
- Chakravaki's Lament: The female chakravaki laments the death of her mate.
- Sati (Joining in Death): The female chakravaki immolates herself on her mate's pyre.
- End of the Episode: Concludes the episode of their past lives.
- Resolution Regarding Future Life: The couple resolves their future existence.
- Cheti's Consolation: The attendant consoles Tarangavati.
Return Journey (Pratyagaman):
- Meeting with Those Searching: They meet those who were searching for them.
- Message to Elders: A message is conveyed to the elders.
- Rest in Prāṇāshaka City: They rest in Prāṇāshaka city.
- Departure and Arrival: Their departure and arrival in Vāsāli village.
- Entry into Kausambi: Their entry into Kausambi city.
- Reception and Reunion: They are welcomed and reunited with family.
- Wedding Celebration: A wedding celebration takes place.
- Sarasikā's Account: Sarasikā recounts her experiences.
- Couple's Joy and Merriment: The couple enjoys their happiness.
- Cycle of Seasons: Describes the passage of seasons.
- Garden Visit: They visit the garden.
The Hunter's Tale (Vyadhakatha):
- Seeing the Labor: Witnessing the labor of others.
- Religious Discourse: A religious discourse is given, covering topics like the soul, karma, samsara (cycle of birth and death), and moksha (liberation).
- Inquiry into Past: Request to narrate past events.
- The Hunter's Story: The tale of the hunter's past life, his actions, his life as a hunter, the elephant hunt, the accidental death of the chakravaka, the chakravaki's subsequent actions, the hunter's rebirth, his addiction to gambling, his refuge in Charapalli, the thief commander, the hunter's cruelty, the captive young couple, the young woman's story, the hunter's death in the past life, the couple's liberation, the hunter's renunciation, the Purimitāla garden, the sacred banyan tree, meeting the ascetic, and embracing asceticism.
Renunciation (Vairagya):
- Tarangavati and Padmadeva's Renunciation: Tarangavati and Padmadeva decide to renounce worldly life.
- Ascetic's Instruction: The ascetic imparts beneficial teachings.
- Preparation for Ordination: Preparations for taking vows.
- Taking Vows: The vows are accepted.
- Opposition and Approval: Overcoming family opposition and gaining approval.
- Merchant's Plea: The merchant's plea.
- Padmadeva's Persuasion: Padmadeva's persuasive arguments.
- Merchant's Consent: The merchant's approval.
- Farewell to Relatives: Saying goodbye to relatives.
- Tarangavati's Reception: Tarangavati is accepted by the Ganini.
- Tarangavati's Study and Penance: Tarangavati's studies and austerities.
Conclusion of the Narrative (Vrattant Samapti):
- Epilogue: A concluding section.
- Author's Introduction: Information about the author.

Key Themes and Elements:

Transmigration and Karma: The story extensively explores the concepts of karma and rebirth, showing how actions in past lives influence present circumstances.
Love and Devotion: The narrative emphasizes the enduring power of love across lifetimes, exemplified by Tarangavati and Padmadeva's devotion.
Moral and Ethical Teachings: Embedded within the story are Jain moral and ethical principles, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession, as well as the importance of penance and asceticism.
Poetic Descriptions: The text is rich in descriptions of nature, seasons, cities, and human emotions, showcasing the author's poetic skill.
Social Reflection: The realistic portrayal of society, customs, and values of the time provides a valuable historical glimpse.
Spiritual Journey: Ultimately, the story is about the soul's journey towards liberation (moksha) through virtuous actions and spiritual discipline.

Editorial and Publishing Information:

Series: L. D. Series 75
General Editors: Dalsukh Malvania, Nagin J. Shah
Editor and Translator: H. C. Bhayani
First Edition: August 1979
Price: Rupees Thirty

Overall: "Samkhitta Taramgavai Kaha" is a valuable and engaging Jain narrative that preserves the essence of Acarya Padalipta's lost masterpiece. It offers a blend of engaging storytelling, rich descriptions, and profound spiritual teachings, making it a significant contribution to Jain literature and Prakrit studies.