Satyabhama Charitram

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Satyabhama Charitram" by Shubhshil Gani, based on the provided pages:

Title: Satyabhama Charitram (The Life Story of Satyabhama) Author: Shubhshil Gani Publisher: Shravak Hiralal Hansraj (Second Edition, published 1934)

Summary:

The "Satyabhama Charitram" narrates a significant episode in the life of Krishna, focusing on his relationship with Satyabhama and the events that led to the elevation of Rukmini to the position of chief queen.

The story begins in Dwarka, where Krishna (Vasudeva) is ruling. The sage Narada visits Krishna's court. Impressed by Krishna's chastity, Narada is respected by all. After a brief stay, Narada visits Krishna's inner chambers and finds Satyabhama admiring her reflection in a mirror. Satyabhama, filled with pride and considering Narada to be lacking in virtue, shows him disrespect by not offering proper greetings.

Angered by this insult, Narada vows to teach Satyabhama a lesson. He travels to Kundinapura, the kingdom of King Rukmi. There, he is warmly received by King Rukmi and his sister, the maiden Rukmini. Narada describes Krishna's virtues to Rukmini, captivating her. Rukmini decides to marry Krishna and makes a portrait of him. Narada then returns to Dwarka and shows the portrait to Krishna, who is struck by Rukmini's beauty and develops a deep affection for her.

Narada informs Krishna that Rukmini wishes to marry him, and advises Krishna to send a messenger to seek her hand from King Rukmi. Krishna sends a messenger, but King Rukmi refuses, having already promised Rukmini to Shishupala. Rukmi argues that Krishna is a polygamist and he does not want his sister to suffer as a co-wife. He believes Shishupala is a suitable match for Rukmini. The messenger returns to Krishna with Rukmi's refusal.

Meanwhile, Rukmini's paternal aunt learns of Krishna's proposal and informs Rukmini that her brother, Rukmi, intends to marry her to Shishupala. Rukmini declares that she has already accepted Krishna as her husband in her mind and will not marry anyone else. Her aunt relays this information to Krishna, revealing Rukmini's devotion. The aunt suggests a plan: Krishna should secretly visit the royal garden during the upcoming serpent worship festival, where she will bring Rukmini, and Krishna can then take her.

Shishupala, eager to marry Rukmini, arrives in Kundinapura with his retinue. Narada, learning of Shishupala's arrival, informs Krishna and his brother Balarama, who then travel to Kundinapura. The aunt brings Rukmini to the garden where she meets Krishna. Krishna places Rukmini in his chariot and begins to depart.

At this point, Rukmini's aunt, in an effort to create a diversion and help Krishna escape with Rukmini, shouts that Rukmini is being forcefully abducted by Krishna. Enraged, King Rukmi and Shishupala, with a large army, pursue Krishna. Rukmini expresses concern to Krishna, seeing the vast army chasing them. Krishna reassures her, promising that his forces will easily overcome them.

Krishna and Balarama engage in a fierce battle with Rukmi's army, including Shishupala and King Rukmi. Krishna defeats Shishupala, and Balarama defeats King Rukmi, but spares his life at Rukmini's request. They then proceed towards Dwarka.

Upon seeing Dwarka from a distance, Rukmini expresses anxiety about being mocked by Krishna's other queens due to her "deceptive" arrival. Krishna promises to make her his chief queen, ensuring no one will dare to mock her. He then marries Rukmini in a Gandharva marriage in a garden.

Krishna leads Rukmini to a temple dedicated to Lakshmi, where a statue of the goddess is placed. Krishna instructs Rukmini to sit in the statue's place and tells her that his other queens, including Satyabhama, will come to worship Lakshmi. They will mistakenly pay respects to Rukmini, believing her to be the goddess. Rukmini is asked to reveal herself after receiving their obeisances and then engage in playful banter with them, thereby establishing her supremacy. Rukmini agrees to this plan.

Krishna then returns to his palace without Rukmini. Satyabhama, consumed by jealousy, questions Krishna about the new woman he has brought. Krishna playfully tells Satyabhama that the woman, proud of her beauty, is in the Lakshmi temple. Satyabhama, eager to see her, goes to the temple with other chief queens, including Padmavati and others. Believing Rukmini to be the statue of Lakshmi, they offer her their respects. Rukmini then rises, reveals herself, and playfully interacts with them. The queens, realizing they have been tricked, return home disheartened.

Satyabhama confronts Krishna, accusing him of deceiving them. Krishna, with a laugh, declares that since they worshipped Rukmini as Lakshmi, she is now his chief queen. Enraged, Satyabhama protests, believing Krishna orchestrated this deception to make Rukmini his chief queen. She leaves in anger for her own quarters. Krishna then rules happily, with Rukmini as his chief queen, alongside his other eight queens: Padmavati, Gauri, Gandhari, Lakshmana, Susima, Jambuvati, Satyabhama, and Rukmini.

The narrative then shifts to Neminath, Krishna's cousin, who renounces his kingdom, gives away his wealth, and becomes an ascetic. He attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and begins preaching. Krishna and his family attend Neminath's sermon.

During the sermon, Krishna asks Neminath if his chief queens are true. Neminath confirms they are. Krishna then inquires about the most auspicious day of the year. Neminath explains that the eleventh day of the waxing moon in the month of Margashirsha is the most auspicious because on this day, fifty Kalyanakas (auspicious events) occurred in the past. He emphasizes the importance of penance (tapas) on this day.

Hearing about the significance of the eleventh-day penance, Krishna and his chief queens, including Satyabhama and Rukmini, undertake the penance. Inspired by their example, others also observe it. The eight chief queens, including Satyabhama and Rukmini, eventually take diksha (initiation) from Neminath. They then diligently practice various austerities, shed their karmas, attain Kevala Jnana, and ultimately achieve liberation (moksha) at Girnar.

The book concludes by stating that this "Satyabhama Charitram" was extracted from the "Katha Kosh" by Shubhshil Gani, refined, and published by Pandit Shravak Hiralal Hansraj for the benefit of himself and others.