Terapanth Ke Drudhdharmi Shravak Arjunlalji Porwal - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Shravak Arjunlalji Porwal of Terapanth, written by Muni Buddhmall:

This text details the life and exemplary spiritual journey of Arjunlalji Porwal, a devout follower of the Terapanth tradition. Born in 1953 (V.S.) in the village of Vas to a modest family, Arjunlalji exhibited a strong sense of righteousness and adherence to Jain principles from an early age.

Key aspects of his life and character highlighted in the text include:

Early Career and Moral Stance: Arjunlalji took up a job with Raoji of Merpur and quickly rose to the position of treasurer. However, upon discovering that the animals whose purchase price he was calculating were destined for slaughter for the Rao's kitchen, he refused to continue, even forfeiting his salary. This demonstrated his unwavering commitment to Ahimsa (non-violence).
Confrontation with a Tantric: In Vas, Arjunlalji fearlessly confronted a local "tantric" (a practitioner of esoteric arts) who owed him money. Despite warnings about the tantric's powers, Arjunlalji's bravery and conviction led him to physically confront the man, effectively ending his intimidation tactics.
Grief and Renunciation due to Brother's Death: A poignant event in his life was the death of his younger brother, Manohar, who died of stomach pain after being denied food because Arjunlalji felt he was too young to join him for a special meal. Overcome with guilt and grief, Arjunlalji renounced "choorma" (a sweet dish) and fasting on the day of that festival in memory of his brother.
Diligence in Brother's Marriage: Motivated by his mother's taunt about his younger brother Sohanlalji's unmarried status, Arjunlalji vowed not to speak to his wife until he arranged his brother's marriage. He succeeded in fulfilling this promise within three months.
Renunciation of Rights and Financial Hardships: Following his father's stipulation, Arjunlalji forfeited his share of ancestral property when he established a business in Udaipur. He later faced significant financial losses in partnership, which he bore alone. This led to a period of severe hardship where he had to wander through villages for four years to recover debts and clear his obligations, even selling his wife's jewelry.
Resilience and Rebuilding: Despite these difficulties, Arjunlalji's integrity remained intact. He began speculative trading to support his family and, upon his Guru's instruction, renounced it to start a cloth business again. His honest dealings and generosity led him to accumulate wealth and assist many others.
Growing Detachment from Wealth: As his spiritual devotion grew, Arjunlalji became increasingly indifferent to wealth, renouncing personal capital exceeding twenty thousand rupees and reducing his stake in his business. He was content as long as the household expenses were met.
Spiritual Inclination and Practices: Arjunlalji was deeply religious from the outset, finding joy in the company of ascetics, theological discussions, and practices like "Samayik" (meditative practice). He had memorized many Jain hymns and "Thokdas" (scriptural verses) and was a leader in renunciation and austerity. His tolerance for hardship was exceptional, and his detachment (Vairagya) was remarkable.
Influence on Others: Arjunlalji actively encouraged others towards spirituality. He famously convinced the Rao of Merpur and thirteen local chieftains to give up alcohol, with the Rao abstaining for four days a month and the chieftains for life.
Unwavering Faith: His faith in God, Guru, and Dharma was incredibly strong. He found solace in chanting the name of Swami Bhikhanchiji, especially during times of danger. The text recounts two instances where his faith helped him survive: an encounter with a bear and recovering from severe dysentery after refusing to break his vow by taking medicine against his principles.
Various Vows and Asceticism: Arjunlalji was a twelve-vow holder (Dwadashavrati) and further regulated his life with fourteen daily "Niyams" (rules). He progressively intensified his vows, including lifelong renunciation of night meals, green vegetables, and unpurified water in 1992 (V.S.). He also adopted lifelong celibacy (Sheelavrata) and limited his food and drink intake to eight (later six) categories. He never expressed dissatisfaction with food and used minimal water for bathing. He renounced dowry, participating in social feasts, and death feasts. He practiced "Pratikraman" (confession) daily and performed at least twelve "Samayiks."
Great Ascetic: Arjunlalji was a formidable ascetic, undertaking significant fasts annually. He often preferred "Chauvihar" fasts (abstaining from food and water after sunset) and would take water only after 10-12 days during longer fasts. Even after losing his sight, his austerity continued. His fasting regimen increased over time, culminating in him observing 10 fasts per month and regularly performing "Athai" (fasting for three days) during the Paryushana festival. He also performed challenging "Ladi-tap" (consecutive fasts).
Record of Religious Undertakings: The text provides statistics of his extensive religious activities, including nearly 85,000 Samayiks, 1,500 Paurisis, daily study of at least 500 verses, and numerous Chatur-prahari and Ashtaprahari fasts.
Final Days and Demise: Arjunlalji supported the initiation of many disciples. In 2017 (V.S.), he fell seriously ill. Despite the absence of ascetics in Udaipur at that time, local lay followers provided support. Sadhvi Najar Kanwarji, whom he had assisted in her initiation, visited him and offered spiritual comfort. On Magha Krishna 3rd, his condition worsened, and he undertook "Chauvihar Santhara" (a ritualistic fast unto death). He passed away peacefully five minutes later.

In essence, the book portrays Arjunlalji Porwal as a steadfast and courageous Jain Shravak whose life was a testament to unwavering faith, moral integrity, immense austerity, and profound spiritual dedication, making him a truly exemplary figure in the Terapanth tradition.