Sarak Jati - Book Summary | JainGPT

The book "Sarak Jati" by Muniraj Shri Prabhakarvijayji, published by Shri Jain Dharm Pracharak Sabha, is a detailed exploration of the "Sarak" community, who are believed to be descendants of ancient Jain followers. The book aims to shed light on their history, customs, current situation, and the efforts to reintroduce them to Jainism.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key points discussed in the text:

1. Origin and Identity of the Sarak Jati:

The Sarak community is believed to be descended from the ancient Shravakas (lay followers) of Lord Parshvanath and Lord Mahavir Swami.
The name "Sarak" is considered a corrupted form of "Shravak."
The book posits that many of the current Jain communities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, etc., were established after purification by various Acharyas after Lord Mahavir's nirvana. It raises the question: where did the direct descendants of the Shravakas from the time of Lord Parshvanath and Lord Mahavir go, especially considering their significant presence in eastern India?

2. Historical Context and Migration:

Elderly members of the Sarak community report that their ancestors migrated from places like Rajgir, Patna, and Bihar for various reasons.
They later settled in the Manbhum district (now part of Jharkhand and West Bengal) due to persecution or hardship from local rulers.
The book documents specific villages where the Sarak community resides in the Manbhum district and surrounding areas, including estimates of their population (3600-3800 households, around 25,000 people). Their presence is also noted in parts of Odisha and Singbhum.

3. Sarak Community's Connection to Jainism:

Dietary Practices: A strong indicator of their Jain heritage is their strict adherence to vegetarianism. They abstain from meat, alcohol (toddy), onions, and garlic. They also avoid eating figs (umra), banyan, and peepal fruits. Eating cut vegetables is also avoided; only plucked leaves are consumed.
Moral Conduct: They do not employ people from non-Jain backgrounds (specifically mentioning Bengalis) who might introduce negative habits. They avoid using harsh words like "to cut," "to tear," or "to chop."
Social Purity: They generally do not accept water from people of other castes.
Family Deities: Lord Parshvanath is considered their Kuldev (family deity). Their ancestors used to travel to Sametshikharji (Parshvanath Hill) for pilgrimage and to perform rituals related to their Kuldev.
Gotras: They mention having gotras like Aadi Dev, Dharma Dev, Shanti Dev, Anant Dev, and Gautam. They refer to Rishabhdev as "Aadi Dev" and Shanti Dev as "Sandilya," indicating potential linguistic corruption of ancient names.
Ancient Idols and Temples: The book presents evidence of ancient Jain temples and idols found in the Manbhum district and along the Dadhar river, suggesting a significant Jain presence in the region in the past. One particular idol found near the Ijari river, initially revered as "Kaal Bhairav," is described with attributes consistent with Jain iconography, including attendants like chamardharis, Nagas, Yakshas, and Ambika Devi. There are also mentions of a "Choukhuji" (four-faced idol) found near the Ijari river.

4. Challenges and Decline:

Influence of Other Religions: The Sarak community has faced the influence of other religions, particularly due to the lack of Jain religious preachers and ceremonies for life events (birth, marriage, death).
Loss of Religious Guidance: The absence of priests and religious instructors led them to adopt practices from other communities to perform rituals. The book narrates an incident where the Sarak community, lacking their own priests, adopted a Brahmin priest, leading to a gradual shift towards Vaishnavism and the construction of a Shiva temple.
Social Evils: The text highlights severe social issues contributing to their decline, such as:
- Child Marriage: Marriages of infants and very young children (even as young as one or two years old) are common.
- Child Widowhood: Due to high infant mortality, many young girls become widows, facing social ostracization.
- Kanyavikray (Selling of Brides): The practice of selling brides for significant sums of money is prevalent, contributing to a decline in the community.
- Excommunication for Remarriage: Those who remarry are often ostracized, leading some to intermarry with other communities.
Economic Conditions: Their primary occupation is agriculture, with about 95% of the community relying on it. They are generally poor, and widows face particularly harsh conditions. Some engage in selling vegetables, and a few work in railway factories.
Lack of Education: Literacy rates are low, with Bengali being the primary language. There's a lack of organized educational facilities for children.

5. Efforts for Revival and Propagation:

Role of Muniraj Shri Mangalvijayji: The book highlights the crucial role of Upadhyay Shri Mangalvijayji Maharaj Saheb in bringing the Sarak community back to the fold of Jainism. He undertook extensive travel and delivered discourses in their villages.
Jain Dharm Pracharak Sabha: Two organizations, the Shri Jain Dharm Pracharak Sabha (also known as Sarak Jati Pracharak Committee) in Kolkata and Jhariya, have been established to promote Jainism among the Sarak community.
Religious Outreach: The book details the propagation efforts, including:
- Delivering lectures on Jain philosophy, history, and the significance of the Sarak identity.
- Celebrating Jain festivals like Mahavir Swami Janma Kalyanak Utsav.
- Organizing pilgrimages to Sametshikharji for Sarak community members.
- Distributing religious books and photographs of Jain deities.
- Establishing small schools in Sarak villages.
- Finding and preserving ancient Jain relics.
Call for Support: The book appeals to the broader Jain community for financial and moral support to continue these propagation activities, including establishing more schools, training Jain preachers from within the Sarak community, finding ancient idols, and supporting poor Sarak families and students.

6. Appendices:

Appendix 1: Contains an excerpt from the Puri-Orissa Gazetteer of 1908, corroborating the "Sarak" word derivation from "Shravak" and mentioning their vegetarianism and annual pilgrimage to Shikhar Giri (Sametshikharji). It also includes a devotional song.
Appendix 2: Details the propagation activities conducted from Vira Samvat 2462 to 2463, including lectures, festivals, pilgrimages, and the distribution of religious materials.
Appendix 3: Lists the members of the General and Local Committees of the Shri Jain Dharm Pracharak Mandal (Sarak Jati Pracharak Mandal), signifying the organized effort to help the community.

In essence, "Sarak Jati" is a historical and sociological study that aims to re-establish the lost Jain lineage of the Sarak community. It meticulously documents their past, their current struggles due to the absence of Jain guidance and social issues, and the ongoing efforts to reconnect them with their ancestral faith. The book serves as a historical record and a call to action for the Jain community to support the Sarak people.