Snehtantuna Tanavana

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Snehtantuna Tanavana" (The Weaving of Threads of Love) by Muni Shri Dhurandharvijayji, based on the provided pages:

The text tells a profound story about the enduring nature of love and relationships across lifetimes, highlighting the concept of karma and the path to liberation in Jainism. It is structured into several narratives that ultimately connect to a central message.

Part 1: Sundari's Unwavering Devotion

The story begins in the city of Saket, where a woman named Sundari is seen carrying the corpse of her husband, Priyankar, through the streets. She is completely absorbed in her grief and determination, ignoring the curious and pitying stares of the townsfolk. Priyankar was the son of Vaishraman Shreshthi, a respected and wealthy man, and Sundari was the beautiful daughter of his close friend, Priyamitra Shreshthi. Their marriage was a joyous union of love.

However, Priyankar fell gravely ill. Despite Sundari's devoted care and the efforts of the physicians, he succumbed to his illness. Sundari's grief was so profound that she lost her senses. She refused to believe her husband was dead and continued to attend to him as if he were alive, even after his body began to decompose. Her family and friends were unable to console her, and her state worsened.

Driven by her unwavering love and unable to bear the thought of leaving Priyankar's body, Sundari eventually took his corpse upon her shoulders and left her home, heading towards the crematorium. She was determined to stay by his side, even in death.

Part 2: Anangakumar's Compassionate Intervention

The plight of Sundari and the distress of her parents reached King Madan. The king, along with his brave and compassionate son, Prince Anangakumar, were deeply moved. Anangakumar, known for his empathy and desire to alleviate suffering, offered to help. He devised a plan to approach Sundari with understanding and patience, believing that forceful intervention would be ineffective.

Anangakumar disguised himself as a destitute man and went to the crematorium, carrying the corpse of a beautiful woman he called Mayadevi. He began to interact with Sundari, mirroring her delusion. Initially, Sundari was indifferent, but as they spent time together, a strange bond formed between the two "mad" individuals. They began to communicate, sharing their grief and their perceived reality.

Anangakumar, through his cleverly crafted persona and actions, sowed a seed of doubt in Sundari's mind about her situation. He suggested that her "Priyankar" was perhaps not as devoted as she believed, implying infidelity. This struck a chord with Sundari, and fueled by a fabricated encounter where she "saw" Priyankar with Mayadevi, her deep-seated love began to waver.

Eventually, Anangakumar, under the guise of despair and a desire to end his suffering, disposed of both the assumed corpse of Mayadevi and Priyankar's real body into a well. When Sundari discovered this, she was initially shocked. However, Anangakumar then presented himself as her devoted brother, offering solace and spiritual guidance. He explained that their "loved ones" had succumbed to sin and left them, and that they should turn to spiritual pursuits for true happiness.

Sundari, her emotional state altered by Anangakumar's persistent efforts and the shock of the events, finally began to regain her sanity. She found comfort in the spiritual teachings offered by Anangakumar and accepted his guidance. She returned to her family, transformed by her experience.

Part 3: The Underlying Truth Revealed by Lord Mahavir

The narrative then shifts to a past life, revealing the deeper connection between the characters. Prince Manirath, the son of King Kanchanrath of Kakandini, was an avid hunter, known for his skill and passion for the sport. His parents were deeply concerned about his destructive obsession, fearing it would lead him astray.

One day, while hunting in a forest, Manirath encountered a herd of deer. He shot an arrow, but it missed. To his surprise, one delicate doe remained, gazing at him calmly. As he approached, he found himself deeply moved by its gentle nature. The doe followed him, and in that moment, Manirath's heart softened. He felt a surge of compassion and empathy, a stark contrast to his usual predatory instincts. He destroyed his bow and arrows, vowing to never hunt again.

He was perplexed by this change and the inexplicable bond he felt with the doe. He sought the wisdom of Lord Mahavir, who had arrived in a samavasaran (divine assembly). Lord Mahavir revealed the truth: In a past life, Manirath was a woman named Sundari, Anangakumar was the wise and compassionate Anangakumar, and the doe was Priyankar, Sundari's husband. Their intense love in that life had created an unbreakable "thread of love" that transcended death and lifetimes.

Lord Mahavir explained that such bonds, though strong, can be disrupted by doubt and infidelity. Anangakumar's actions in the subsequent life were a skillful intervention to break Sundari free from the destructive grip of her undying love, which had become a source of suffering. By exposing the perceived infidelity and then guiding her towards spirituality, he helped her transcend the worldly attachment.

The story concludes by stating that Sundari, now free from her obsession, embraced the spiritual path, finding true enlightenment. Manirath, understanding the interconnectedness of souls and the power of karma, dedicated himself to Lord Mahavir's teachings. The text emphasizes that these threads of love are potent and can span eons, and liberation is achieved by understanding and transcending these attachments through righteous conduct and spiritual practice.

In essence, "Snehtantuna Tanavana" is a Jain parable illustrating that true love is eternal and can manifest across lifetimes, but also that unexamined attachment can lead to suffering. It highlights the importance of spiritual wisdom and compassion in guiding souls towards liberation.