Sangharsh

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sangharsh" by Mohanlal C Dhami, presented in English:

The book "Sangharsh" (Conflict/Struggle) tells the story of King Vikramaditya and his exceptional intelligence, and a woman named Manmohini who challenges the notion of male superiority.

The Setup: King Vikramaditya and Prince Devkumar

The story begins by introducing King Vikramaditya, a wise and just ruler of Avanti, whose reign had eradicated most societal ills. However, his estranged son, Devkumar, seeks to prove his intelligence and cleverness by orchestrating events that even baffle the king. Devkumar's actions lead to the creation of what the royal court calls "Vikramcharitra" (Vikram's Deeds/Character), a feat so impressive that it begins to be hailed as superior to "Naricharitra" (Woman's Character). This public opinion suggests that a man's intelligence can surpass a woman's cunning, challenging the traditional belief in female astuteness.

Avanti and the Virtuous Sudant

Avanti is depicted as a prosperous and free society where citizens live industriously and according to traditional values. Among the affluent citizens is Sudant, a virtuous and religious merchant. Sudant has only one daughter, Manmohini. Unlike pampered children, Manmohini was raised with a strong emphasis on education and the arts, including literature, religion, poetry, grammar, music, and politics. Being from a Jain family, she maintained a calm and gentle demeanor despite reaching womanhood. She possessed virtues like humility, politeness, sweet speech, beauty comparable to a celestial nymph, and kindness towards all beings.

King Vikram's Nocturnal Rounds and Manmohini's Words

King Vikramaditya, in disguise, often roamed the city at night to understand his subjects' joys and sorrows. One night, he visited Sudant's garden where Manmohini was conversing with her friends. Overhearing their discussion, Vikram became curious. The topic was "Vikramcharitra."

Manmohini expressed her opinion that while the King was great, he sometimes fell prey to foolishness. She argued that the idea of Vikramcharitra surpassing Naricharitra was laughable. She believed Devkumar's actions – outwitting the guards, chief minister, and even Vikram himself – were not extraordinary enough to elevate his deeds above a woman's cunning. She dismissed the idea of making a clever courtesan like Chapalasena a pawn as a minor feat, attributing it to infatuation rather than true intelligence. She concluded that the proverb "Kings, music, and monkeys are all subject to whims" applied even to the King.

The King's Challenge and Manmohini's Resolve

Manmohini's words deeply affected Vikram. The next day, he summoned Sudant and Manmohini. After a courteous reception, Vikram revealed that he had overheard their conversation and wanted to understand her perspective. Manmohini, with firm conviction, reiterated her belief that woman's character is supreme and can topple kingdoms, even outsmarting deities. She stated that comparing Vikramcharitra to Naricharitra was an injustice and that Vikram had been foolish to promote his son's deeds so publicly.

Impressed by her intellect and beauty, Vikram proposed a marriage between Manmohini and Prince Devkumar, requesting Sudant to prepare for the wedding and promising to send the prince's proposal within seven days. Manmohini understood that the King was setting up a conflict to test the supremacy of Naricharitra.

The Underground Prison and Manmohini's Test

King Vikram then sent Devkumar on an eight-day journey. He had a secret underground chamber constructed near the Sipra river. This chamber was designed with a sealed entrance, allowing only air and supplies through a special iron grate. Manmohini was taken to this chamber and informed that she could only be released if she could meet him with her child – a challenge meant to prove the strength of womanhood. Manmohini accepted, expressing her faith in the invincibility of female power.

The Months of Confinement and the Servant's Help

Manmohini lived in the well-equipped underground chamber for four months. A loyal maid was assigned to her, with a system for her replacement to prevent any sympathy or aid from developing. In the fifth month, a new maid arrived. Manmohini, having devised a plan, offered the maid a valuable ring and, appealing to her compassion, requested a favor.

She explained that her birthday was approaching and her parents, who usually ate pan (betel leaf) prepared by her only once a year, would be delighted to receive it. She asked the maid to deliver two pan to her father. The maid, obligated by the king's instructions but also moved by Manmohini's plight, agreed.

The Secret Message and the Tunnel

Manmohini prepared the pan and gave them to the maid, along with strict instructions not to reveal her confinement to her parents, but to convey that she was happy and sought their blessings. The maid, deeply affected, went to Sudant's house. Sudant, suspecting a hidden message within the pan, opened one to find a folded palm leaf. It contained a detailed message from Manmohini, explaining her situation and requesting her father to excavate a tunnel from a nearby ruined temple to her underground chamber, warning that her life depended on it.

Sudant, devoted to his only daughter, immediately contacted a sculptor friend. The sculptor surveyed the location and, under the guise of renovating the temple, began the excavation. Two months later, the tunnel was completed, with a secret entrance into Manmohini's chamber.

The Exchange and Devkumar's Infatuation

That night, Manmohini slipped out through the tunnel and went to her father's house. She sent her trusted maid, dressed in her own clothes and jewelry, to the underground chamber. She then disguised herself as a gini (a type of female attendant or perhaps a less common persona) and moved to a separate building adjacent to her father's residence.

The next day, Sudant invited King Vikramaditya, Prince Devkumar, and Manmohini for a meal. Vikram, unable to produce Manmohini, excused himself, suggesting that only Devkumar attend. Devkumar, unaware of his marriage, went to Sudant's house. Upon arriving, his eyes met Manmohini's, who was standing at a window dressed as a gini. He was instantly captivated by her beauty and charm.

The Meeting and the Plan for Escape

Unable to resist his infatuation, Devkumar excused himself from the meal to take a walk. He encountered Manmohini, who invited him to a private chamber. Devkumar expressed his surprise at her situation, and Manmohini, feigning a two-year search for a suitable companion based on an astrologer's prophecy, claimed she had only one month left to find him before renouncing worldly life. Devkumar, smitten, declared his love, and Manmohini, seeing her plan materialize, suggested they escape to an orchard four kosh away by boat. She decided to dress as a man to travel discreetly.

The Escape and Manmohini's Pregnancy

Manmohini, disguised as a man, met Devkumar at the river ghat. They boarded a luxurious boat and traveled to the orchard. There, they spent four days and nights together, enjoying their youth. On the fifth night, Manmohini realized she was pregnant. She quietly took Devkumar's ring and, leaving him and his friend asleep, disguised herself as a man and departed.

The next morning, Devkumar and his friend awoke to find Manmohini gone. They searched for her, but the boat was also missing. They were disheartened, fearing for her safety.

The Return and the Birth of a Son

Manmohini returned to her father's house and then back to her underground prison. After fifteen days, Devkumar, searching for the gini, learned she had left the orchard days ago. King Vikram, curious to see if Manmohini's pride was broken, visited her. She remained steadfast, reiterating her belief in Naricharitra and her contentment in her confinement.

As her pregnancy progressed, Manmohini remained fearless. In the ninth month, she used the tunnel to go to her father's home, sending her maid in her place. She gave birth to a son. She then returned to the underground chamber with her child, sending the maid away.

The Revelation and the King's Concession

The next morning, the maid heard the baby cry. Manmohini informed her that she was ready to meet the King with her son. The maid, astonished, conveyed this news to Vikramaditya. The King, amazed, went to the underground chamber. Manmohini declared that she had fulfilled the condition, proving that Vikramcharitra was merely a whim and that Naricharitra was supreme. She demanded proper arrangements for the welcome of the princess and her son.

When asked how this was possible, Manmohini instructed the King to bring Devkumar. In his presence, she revealed her identity by presenting Devkumar's ring. Devkumar, realizing he had been captivated by his own wife, felt his pride diminish. The direct conflict between man and woman resulted in the man's defeat. Devkumar, however, felt blessed to have found such an intelligent and remarkable wife, experiencing victory even in his apparent loss.

Conclusion:

The story concludes by emphasizing the triumph of woman's intelligence and resilience over male prowess in this particular narrative. It highlights Manmohini's cleverness, determination, and unwavering faith in her own capabilities, which allowed her to overcome the king's challenge and prove the superior strength of "Naricharitra."