Shraddhana Suman

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shraddhana Suman" by Kumarpal Desai, based on the provided pages.

Book Title: Shraddhana Suman (Shraddha Na Suman) Author: Kumarpal Desai Publisher: Gurjar Sahitya Prakashan / Gurjar Granth Ratna Karyalaya Price: Rs. 120 Publication Year: 2016 (First Edition)

Overview:

"Shraddhana Suman" is a collection of spiritual and philosophical anecdotes, stories, and teachings, primarily aimed at inspiring faith, introspection, and a better understanding of life's values. The title itself, meaning "Flowers of Faith," suggests the book's intention to cultivate positive qualities and spiritual growth in the reader. The author, Kumarpal Desai, is known for his insightful writings that offer a unique perspective on life, as mentioned in the introduction, comparing it to his previous works.

The introduction highlights the contemporary relevance of the book, stating that in a world divided by hatred, conflicts, and the destruction of nature, there's a need to instill faith in humanity. The anecdotes aim to touch upon various aspects of human relationships and inner worlds, promoting a sense of purpose and connection.

Key Themes and Anecdotes (with summarized content):

The book is structured into 74 short chapters or episodes, each with a distinct title and message. Here's a summary of some of the prominent themes and the essence of their respective stories:

• The Nature of Faith and Inner Search:
  • "One must strive to attain the Unmanifested" (Page 7): A pseudo-sadhu challenges the existence of God, but a teacher counters by using the analogy of Mount Everest – one must strive to reach it to see it, just as one must search within for God.
  • "Keep the doors of your cell open" (Page 8-9): A young man seeks peace from Swami Vivekananda after fruitless spiritual pursuits. Vivekananda advises opening one's heart to the needy and serving others, stating that true peace comes from outward service, not isolation.
  • "Peace cannot be borrowed or lent" (Page 10-11): A king seeking peace from a yogi is made to endure hardship and hunger. The yogi explains that peace is an internal achievement, not something that can be given or acquired through rituals.
  • "Jushiya saw temples in heaven" (Page 12): A saint's dream reveals that true heaven is created by the presence of saints and their actions, not by physical structures or external worship.
  • "Joy overflowed!" (Page 13): King Nami of Mithila, suffering from illness, finds true happiness in solitude, realizing that attachment to the body and possessions brings suffering.
  • "Blessings that your village becomes desolate!" (Page 14-15): Guru Nanak blesses a virtuous village with desolation so its virtuous people can spread goodness elsewhere. Conversely, he blesses an unvirtuous village with prosperity to keep its negative influence contained.
  • "What should the other do when one speaks?" (Page 16-17): Two patients in an asylum demonstrate the importance of listening and not interrupting, highlighting that true dialogue requires one person to be silent while the other speaks.
  • "There is a difference between mendicancy and business" (Page 17-18): A businessman becomes a mendicant to escape worry but realizes true mendicancy involves constant devotion, not just a change of clothes.
  • "Change the direction of the wind of your mind" (Page 19-20): A sadhak struggles with internal and external distractions while meditating, eventually realizing the need to control his own mind's direction.
  • "The ashram needs service and wealth" (Page 21): A story illustrating that an institution needs both service (from those who can offer it) and financial resources, demonstrating fairness in treating patients of different economic backgrounds.
  • "Vision that makes roses bloom in thorns" (Page 22-23): Three laborers breaking stones for a temple have different perspectives: one sees drudgery, another sees necessity, and the third sees building a sacred place. The third's perspective brings joy and purpose.
  • "Where are those who turn towards liberation?" (Page 24-25): People are engrossed in worldly desires – power, wealth, pleasure, fame. Buddha points out that liberation is available, but few genuinely seek it.
  • "He who leaves fame attains welfare" (Page 26-27): Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sacrifices his scholarly work that could bring him fame to preserve his friend's reputation, showing the importance of prioritizing relationships over personal glory.
  • "Attachment is found without devotion to God!" (Page 28-29): Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa advises engaging in worldly duties with detachment, keeping the mind focused on God, comparing it to a servant managing a household while keeping their own home in mind.
  • "To carve the Supreme Being, one must endure pain" (Page 30-31): A wrestler aiming to get a lion tattoo struggles with the pain of the needle, highlighting that achieving something significant requires enduring hardship and pain.
  • "To see Layla, one needs Majnu's eyes" (Page 32-33): A king cannot comprehend Majnu's devotion to Layla until he understands that true beauty is perceived through the eyes of love and devotion.
  • "The sun rose in the room at midnight!" (Page 34-35): Saint Abu-bun finds divine light within his room and is told by an angel that he is listed among God's lovers because he loves all humanity, illustrating that devotion to humanity is devotion to God.
  • "Become mad and you meet God" (Page 35-36): The story of a woman's intense love for her husband, leading her to forget worldly matters, shows that complete absorption and devotion (even to the point of appearing "mad") can lead to divine connection.
  • "Satan am I, and the farmer am I too" (Page 38-39): An artist paints both divine and demonic figures. Later, the same person who was the divine farmer is revealed to be the demonic prisoner, showing the duality within human nature.
  • "You stumbled, so I receive?" (Page 40-41): Shri Krishna respects Vidura's principles by refusing to eat food offered by someone whose principles he deems inferior, highlighting the importance of upholding values and integrity.
  • "Heaven and hell are present here and now!" (Page 42-43): A Zen monk shows a king that heaven and hell are states of mind created by anger and peace respectively.
  • "Green with dry leaves needed!" (Page 45): A Zen gardener teaches that perfection lies not in flawlessness but in the balance of natural states, representing the acceptance of both joy and sorrow in life.
  • "Friendship always resides in the heart" (Page 47-48): Poet Dalpatram accepts a lower salary to work with his friend Forbes, emphasizing the value of true friendship over material gain.
  • "Life is with complaints or with remembrance of God!" (Page 49): Saint Bayzid's foot is injured, but he thanks God for saving him from greater harm, showing the importance of gratitude even in adversity.
  • "The void meets the void!" (Page 50-51): A miser learns that giving nothing to God results in receiving nothing, highlighting the principle of reciprocity in giving and receiving.
  • "Food has a connection with the inner self, brother!" (Page 52-53): Saint Saryudas prefers a plain roti over rich food, explaining that simple food aids introspection and self-realization, unlike rich food that distracts the mind.
  • "In Krishna's presence, the chariot was incinerated!" (Page 54-55): Arjuna's chariot is destroyed after Krishna leaves, symbolizing that without divine guidance, even the most powerful tools are vulnerable.
  • "Will my mother like this or not?" (Page 56-57): Saint Gurudayal Mallik lives his life by asking this question before every action, leading him to a life of righteousness and virtue.
  • "Man with wings instead of feet!" (Page 58-59): An allegory about opportunity (Avsar) personified as a winged figure with a covered face, suggesting that opportunities are fleeting and must be recognized and seized quickly.
  • "Don't take help in ordinary work!" (Page 60-61): A horseman drops his whip but chooses to retrieve it himself rather than asking for help, valuing self-reliance and avoiding debt.
  • "It is my duty to pay the fee" (Page 61-62): Bharat Ratna M. Visvesvaraya insists on paying a doctor for his services, emphasizing duty and the professional ethics of self-reliance.
  • "The way of life is the motion after death!" (Page 64-65): A disciple dreams of a sadhu in hell and a king in heaven, learning that one's actions and intentions in life determine their afterlife.
  • "Where is the physician like me?" (Page 67-68): Hakim Ajmal Khan prioritizes treating a poor youth over a royal summons, demonstrating compassion and the principle that one's commitment should be to those who truly need them.
  • "Truth is for creation!" (Page 68-69): A pundit teaches about non-violence and forgiveness but uses violence when attacked, explaining that these principles are for the virtuous, not the wicked.
  • "Service to life is service to Shiva!" (Page 70-71): Swami Vivekananda advocates for serving the poor and downtrodden as the highest form of worship, seeing God in every living being.
  • "Is there a little fire left inside?" (Page 72-73): A guru tests his disciple's detachment from inner desires by asking him to find fire in ashes, signifying the need to overcome internal attachments.
  • "The idle man's life has only sunset!" (Page 75-76): An idle man misses the opportunity to collect gold because of his procrastination, highlighting the importance of timely action.
  • "People of Earth, look towards the sky!" (Page 76-77): Saint Francis of Assisi urges people to appreciate nature's beauty, which is often overlooked in their materialistic pursuits.
  • "Envy or fear will never make you excellent!" (Page 78-79): Guru Dronacharya explains to his son Ashwatthama that envy and fear hinder true excellence, unlike courage and a clear conscience.
  • "Faith in the eternal truths is courage!" (Page 80-81): A judge shows faith in a dacoit's potential for change by giving him a job, demonstrating courage in believing in inherent goodness.
  • "When giving charity, my head bows down!" (Page 82-83): Poet RahiM feels humble when giving charity because he knows the true giver is God, not himself.
  • "A dog is more forgiving than me!" (Page 84-85): A sadhak wearing black clothes explains his "blackness" symbolizes the death of his inner vices like anger and greed, showing his humility and self-awareness.
  • "Excessive collection becomes troublesome in the end!" (Page 87-88): Buddha advises his monks against hoarding possessions, as it leads to attachment and suffering.
  • "My mind will be restless!" (Page 89-90): A writer returns extra money to the author, stating that keeping it would make his mind restless, emphasizing honesty and peace of mind.
  • "Mendicancy is not suffering, but enjoyment!" (Page 91-92): Poet Sheikh Saadi rejects a diamond from a sultan, asserting the value and joy of his spiritual poverty over material wealth.
  • "The race of desire ultimately brings suffering." (Page 92-93): A divine proclamation allows people to exchange their miseries, but they all choose their original burdens, realizing that desire is the root of suffering.
  • "This treasure is more precious than life!" (Page 95): Xuanzang's students are willing to sacrifice their lives to save Buddhist scriptures, highlighting the immense value placed on spiritual knowledge.
  • "God also has faith in me!" (Page 97-98): An alcoholic finds hope and a reason to change when told that God believes in his potential for good.
  • "He who eats alone, is bitten by a dog!" (Page 99-100): Prince Shrenik shares his food with the dogs during an attack, demonstrating his selfless nature and winning the kingdom.
  • "Saving life is my duty!" (Page 101-102): Vaidya Zandu Bhatt saves a pregnant widow from suicide, fulfilling his duty as a healer and provider of support.
  • "One should renounce ego with wealth!" (Page 103-104): Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa tells a wealthy man that he will never attain God-realization without shedding his ego, even after giving away wealth.
  • "Arrogance should not arise from achievement!" (Page 105-106): A Sufi saint learns humility from an old woman, understanding that true spiritual practice doesn't involve showing off power.
  • "If you had worshipped God!" (Page 107-108): A dying king regrets not worshipping God, realizing his earthly riches are meaningless in the face of death.
  • "Writing poetry doesn't fill people's stomachs!" (Page 109-110): A king bans arts, favoring material prosperity. He later realizes the importance of arts when moved by a flute's melody, signifying the need for balance.
  • "That's why God gave me one eye!" (Page 111): Maharaja Ranjit Singh uses his single eye to represent seeing all religions equally, emphasizing unity and spiritual vision.
  • "Today in the forest, tomorrow in Ayodhya!" (Page 113-114): Rama accepts his duty as a Kshatriya to protect the sages, even if it means deviating from his vow of a forest dweller, highlighting the importance of dharma.
  • "Equal punishment for the gambler and the priest!" (Page 115-116): A ruler punishes both a gambler and a priest equally for neglecting their duties, showing that accountability applies to all.
  • "Wealth makes you blind." (Page 117): A king's son is offered a lower salary at a prestigious college but accepts it, showing that principles are more valuable than wealth.
  • "The fruit will be as the sanskaras are." (Page 119): Buddha states that one becomes what one perceives others to be, emphasizing the impact of our judgments and inner states.
  • "Running around to change the bundle of sorrow!" (Page 121-122): A man dreams of exchanging his burdens, only to find everyone else's burdens are similar, illustrating that internal change is necessary, not external exchange.
  • "Ravana's blessings to Rama the priest!" (Page 123-124): Ravana, despite being an enemy, performs the ritualistic duties for Rama's bridge construction, showing respect for religious customs and dharma.
  • "You are more worthy than me!" (Page 125): Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar recommends a friend for a teaching position over himself, showing humility and magnanimity.
  • "Feed sweets to the one who beats you." (Page 127-128): Swami Ugranandji asks to be given sweets by those who beat him, demonstrating extreme forgiveness and love.
  • "Struggle gives essence and strength!" (Page 129): A farmer's crops fail without natural struggles, teaching that challenges build resilience and yield the best results.
  • "I am not everything, but I am zero." (Page 131-132): Monk Nagasena explains to King Milinda that the concept of "self" is an illusion, and true understanding comes from recognizing the emptiness of individual existence.
  • "The Supreme Being demands hard work." (Page 133): Sadhu Haridas insists on earning his living through labor, emphasizing the importance of effort in spiritual practice.
  • "They will take life, but not the soul." (Page 135-136): Monk Devavardhana faces persecution but remains steadfast, believing that while the body can be harmed, the soul is inviolable.
  • "The world is ignorant like you!" (Page 137-138): A king's mistreatment of sandalwood leads him to regret it, as a wise person points out the world's ignorance in not recognizing true value.
  • "I cannot abandon my nature!" (Page 139): A sadhu, despite provocations, maintains his nature of forgiveness and non-violence.
  • "That light never extinguishes!" (Page 141-142): Rishi Yagnavalkya explains that the light of the soul (Atman) is eternal and guides one, unlike fleeting physical lights.
  • "Self-health comes only from self-effort!" (Page 143-144): A wealthy man's ill-health is attributed to his idleness, and he is advised to work and exercise for well-being.
  • "He was not what he was before." (Page 145-146): Buddha observes a person's change in behavior after a negative encounter, highlighting how experiences shape us.
  • "Look! I am still the same age!" (Page 147): Khalifa Umar bin Abdul Aziz, despite his royal status, performs menial tasks himself, showing that true dignity comes from action, not position.
  • "The way to purify the mind." (Page 149-150): A sage advises that to purify the mind, one must practice self-restraint and face temptations with determination, or accept the inevitable reality of our actions.

Overall Impression:

"Shraddhana Suman" offers a collection of short, insightful stories that serve as moral and spiritual lessons. The language is accessible, and the narratives are designed to be thought-provoking and inspiring. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own lives, actions, and beliefs, promoting values like faith, humility, compassion, self-reliance, and the pursuit of inner peace. The diverse range of stories, drawing from historical figures, saints, and allegorical characters, provides a rich tapestry of human experience and spiritual wisdom.