Samraditya

The book "Samaraditya" by Upadhyay Shree Pushkarmuni, edited by Devendra Muni Shastri, and published by Shree Lakshmi Pustak Bhandar, is a collection of stories from Jain literature. The publisher's note highlights the importance of stories in folk literature for imparting moral values and entertainment to all age groups and literacy levels. The book aims to present Jain stories in simple, appealing language with attractive themes to provide moral advice through entertainment, anticipating a warm reception, especially in Gujarat.

The editorial emphasizes that stories are an accessible and impactful form of literature, central to Indian literary traditions. Jain and Buddhist literature, in particular, are noted for their significant contributions to story-based narratives, offering a new direction to the genre. The primary purpose of these stories, within the Shraman tradition, is not just entertainment but also to convey profound subjects like renunciation, good conduct, duty, morality, rebirth, and the consequences of actions. The ultimate aim is to inspire readers towards virtuous actions by illustrating the negative outcomes of bad deeds.

The author, Shree Pushkar Muni, reflects on the motive and nature of Jain story literature. He notes that Lord Mahaveera himself used narratives and metaphors in his sermons to simplify religious and philosophical subjects. While much of this early literature is lost, what remains, particularly in texts like Nayadhammakaha and Vipakasutra, shows the extensive use of stories. These stories aim to awaken curiosity about good, inspire moral actions, and demonstrate the bitter results of wrongdoings. The core objective is to uphold noble social, moral, and spiritual values, encouraging virtues like courage, nobility, generosity, and steadfastness.

The book then delves into the evolution of Jain narrative styles, from the directness of Agamas to the Pauranic style seen in later works like Vasudevahindee and Paumchariyam. This style often incorporated past-life incidents and biographies of great men, influencing later independent biographies of Tirthankaras and other significant figures. The author also mentions various influential storybooks like Tarangvali and Kuvalayamalakaha.

A critical aspect discussed is the diversity found in Jain story traditions, with variations in elements and narrations across different texts, some described in Agamas and elaborated later. The author stresses the importance of focusing on the inspiring ability of these stories rather than their historical accuracy, acknowledging that variations in plot and names are natural due to numerous authors and times. The editorial philosophy prioritizes evaluating the "element of goodness" and life-ennobling values within these ancient narratives. The challenge of compiling such vast and sometimes incomplete literature is acknowledged, with an effort made to provide complete themes where possible, inviting readers to contribute further research.

The book is structured with an index listing "Samraditya," "The Miracle of Regular study (Yavraj Rishi)," and "Decrees of Fate."

The first story, "The bad result of idleness (First Life) (The Life-Story of Samaraditya Kevali)," introduces Prince Gunsen, the heir-apparent, who is virtuous but has a flaw: he enjoys teasing ugly people. His actions towards a Brahmin named Agnisharma lead to Agnisharma's departure and eventual asceticism. Later, Gunsen, now a king named Purushsinh, encounters Agnisharma, who has achieved spiritual realization through penance. This encounter leads to Gunsen's deep regret and transformation, highlighting the impact of past karma and the path of spiritual growth. The story then traces the recurring enmity between the souls of Gunsen (Amarsen) and Agnisharma (Anandkumar/Jalinee/Vanmanthar) through several lifetimes, demonstrating the principles of karma, rebirth, and the long-term consequences of actions driven by anger and revenge versus forgiveness and compassion.

The subsequent stories illustrate these themes further:

• The Murder of the Father (Second Birth): Anandkumar, the son of King Sinhkumar (Gunsen's soul), driven by past-life animosity (from Agnisharma's soul), murders his father.
• The Mother Murders Her Son (Third Birth): Sikhee (Gunsen's soul) suffers at the hands of his birth mother Jalinee (Agnisharma's soul), who, due to past-life grudges, attempts to harm him.
• A Woman - The Murderer of Husband (Fourth Birth): Dhandev (Gunsen's soul) is repeatedly betrayed and ultimately murdered by his wife Dhanshree (Agnisharma's soul) and her lover.
• The Brother Murdered His Brother (Fifth Birth): Jay (Gunsen's soul) relinquishes his kingdom to his brother Vijay (Agnisharma's soul) to avoid conflict, but Vijay, consumed by hatred and envy, murders Jay.
• The Faithful Husband The Unfaithful Wife (Sixth Birth): Dharan (Gunsen's soul) experiences betrayal and attempted murder from his wife Lakshmi (Agnisharma's soul) and her accomplice, but his virtuous actions and fortunate destiny ultimately lead to his survival and eventual realization of wealth and spiritual pursuits.
• Sen and Vishen (Seventh Birth): Sen (Gunsen's soul), a virtuous prince, faces repeated attempts on his life by his envious cousin Vishen (Agnisharma's soul), but divine intervention and Sen's own virtue protect him, while Vishen ultimately faces a terrible fate.
• Gunchandra and Vidyadhar Vanmantar (Eighth Birth): Gunchandra (Gunsen's soul) is protected from Vidyadhar Vanmantar (Agnisharma's soul) by divine beings, and his virtuous nature leads him to renunciation and spiritual attainment, while Vanmantar falls into hell.
• The Extreme of Love and Hatred (Ninth Births) (Samaraditya Kevali): This is the story of Samaraditya (Gunsen's soul), who, after experiencing the futility of worldly pleasures and the teachings of his past lives, achieves Kevala Jnana (omniscience) through renunciation and unwavering adherence to virtue, while his persistent enemy (Agnisharma's soul) finally experiences remorse.

The collection then includes "The Miracle of Regular Study (Yavraj Rishi)," illustrating how consistent study can lead to spiritual progress and overcoming worldly desires. Finally, "Decrees of Fate" explores the powerful influence of destiny and karma through various stories, highlighting how past actions shape present circumstances, even when individuals try to defy fate. The narrative emphasizes that while destiny plays a significant role, human effort, good conduct, and virtuous actions (like charity) can lead to positive outcomes and spiritual elevation, contrasting the downfall of the wicked with the eventual liberation of the virtuous. The overarching theme across all these stories is the cyclical nature of birth and death, the law of karma, and the ultimate triumph of virtue and spiritual realization over vice and attachment.