Shalibhadra

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shalibhadra" in English:

The story of Shalibhadra begins with an account of his past life. In a previous birth, he was a poor boy living with his mother. During a festival, other children were enjoying a sweet dish called kheer, but the poor boy had none. His mother, unable to bear his tears, borrowed ingredients from a neighbor to make him kheer. Just as he was about to eat it, a Jain monk arrived for alms. The compassionate boy, forgetting his own hunger, offered all his kheer to the monk. This act of selfless service and pure intention earned him good karma.

In his next birth, the boy was reborn as Shalibhadra into a wealthy family, with his parents being Bhadra Shethani and Gobhadra Seth. He enjoyed a life of immense luxury, as if in paradise. However, his father renounced the world to become a monk. His mother, fearing Shalibhadra might follow in his father's footsteps, kept him confined to the palace, preventing him from venturing outside. He married 32 beautiful girls at an appropriate age, living a life so blissful that even the celestial beings envied him.

One day, Nepalese merchants arrived in the city selling expensive, diamond-studded shawls. They approached King Shrenik to sell their wares, but the king expressed his inability to afford them. Disheartened, the merchants decided to leave, assuming no one else in the city would be able to purchase such costly items.

Bhadra Shethani, learning of this, invited the merchants to her home. Initially hesitant, the merchants were surprised when Bhadra Shethani inquired about the number of shawls. When told there were sixteen, she declared she needed thirty-two, one for each of her daughters-in-law. The merchants were astonished by her wealth and the fact that she bought all sixteen shawls without hesitation. Their amazement grew when she cut each shawl in half and gave the pieces to her daughters-in-law to wipe their feet. Though the merchants were bewildered, they were pleased with the profitable sale. The daughters-in-law, in turn, discarded the pieces.

One of the palace maids, who knew the queen, took a piece of the shawl for her. The queen, initially perplexed, was also pleased to know of such wealthy individuals in her kingdom. She informed King Shrenik, who felt pride that his kingdom was home to such prosperous people, enhancing its reputation. He invited Shalibhadra to his court to honor him. Bhadra Shethani, upon hearing this, went to the king and requested that he visit their palace, mentioning that her son was very shy. The king accepted and visited Shalibhadra's magnificent palace. Upon seeing it, the king felt his own palace was insignificant in comparison.

Bhadra Shethani asked Shalibhadra to come downstairs and warmly welcome the king. Shalibhadra, unaware of the king or the concept of royalty, thought a merchant had arrived to show him his goods and offered to purchase them if suitable. His mother then explained that the visitor was their king and master, and he should descend to welcome him with respect.

The word "master" resonated with Shalibhadra, making him question who his master could be, as he believed himself to be his own master. He went down to greet the king respectfully. However, the realization that the king was his master and he was not a completely independent individual deeply affected him. He was reminded of his father, who had renounced the world to understand the true meaning of life.

At that moment, Shalibhadra decided to become a monk. He informed his family of his decision. His mother and wives urged him to stay longer. Though he was determined to renounce the world, he agreed to spend one day with each of his 32 wives before becoming a monk.

Meanwhile, Shalibhadra's sister, Subhadra, was married to Dhanna Seth, who had eight wives. One day, while bathing Dhanna Seth, Subhadra began to cry. When asked why, she explained that her brother was planning to renounce the world. Dhanna Seth mockingly called Shalibhadra a coward for delaying his renunciation for 32 days. Subhadra defended her brother, saying it was easier said than done. This remark sparked an idea in Dhanna Seth, and he declared to his wife that he would renounce all his wives and become a monk at that very moment.

Subhadra was surprised, thinking he was joking. Dhanna Seth insisted he was serious and invited her and his other wives to join him. Seeing his resolve, Subhadra and seven of his other wives agreed to become nuns. Dhanna Seth then went to his brother-in-law Shalibhadra's palace and challenged him, urging him to abandon his family and possessions and join him immediately, not to delay, as time is uncertain.

Shalibhadra accepted the challenge and announced his renunciation of his family and all belongings that very day. He went downstairs and left with his brother-in-law. His wives also joined them. They all proceeded to meet Lord Mahavir and took initiation, becoming monks and nuns.

After undergoing rigorous penances as ascetics, Dhanna and Shalibhadra were reborn in heaven. Upon the completion of their time there, they would take new human births to attain liberation.

The text concludes with the moral lessons:

• Service always brings true happiness.
• Helping neighbors is serving society.
• The qualities of compassion and benevolence shown by the young boy (Shalibhadra in his past life) brought him immense rewards, enabling him to easily renounce everything.
• Good deeds always leave an imprint on our soul.
• Good deeds and penance lead the soul towards liberation.