Thavacchaputra Anagar Chaudhaliya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Thavacchaputra Anagar Chaudhaliya" based on the provided pages:

This document is an introduction and partial transcription of "Thavacchaputra Anagar Chaudhaliya," a Jain text composed by Mahopadhyay Shri Kshamakalyanji Maharaj and compiled by Arya Mehulprabhsagarji Maharaj. The work is presented as a narrative that aims to convey religious teachings and principles through storytelling, appealing to the human mind's natural inclination towards stories.

About the Text and its Content:

Subject Matter: The text narrates the story of Thavacchaputra, a virtuous individual destined for liberation (Tadbhava Mokshagami). It focuses on his renunciation (vairagya), his insightful dialogue with his mother about his desire for monastic life, and his eventual acceptance of vows.
Key Events:
- Thavacchaputra's aspiration for renunciation.
- His mother's initial reluctance and their subsequent discussion.
- Lord Krishna's announcement that he would take responsibility for the families of those who take diksha (initiation). This announcement inspired Thavacchaputra and a thousand other virtuous individuals to seek monastic life.
- Their journey to the Samavasarana (preaching assembly) of Lord Neminath.
- Thavacchaputra's formal renunciation and acceptance of vows.
- The text references "Dnyata Dharmakatha Anga" as the source for these events, indicating its scriptural basis.
Structure: The text is composed in four "Dhal" (sections or stanzas), written in a simple, popular language.
Composition Date: The author himself states that the work was composed in Vikram Samvat 1847, Ashoj Sudhi Dashami (Vijayadashami) in Mahimapur.

About the Author, Mahopadhyay Shri Kshamakalyanji Maharaj:

Prominent Figure: Mahopadhyay Shri Kshamakalyanji Maharaj is described as a renowned scholar, philosopher, and respected sadhu of the 19th century (Vikram Samvat). He held a high position within the Chaturvidh Sangh (the fourfold Jain community).
Life Details:
- Born Kushalchand in 1801 VS in Kesardesar, near Bikaner, into the Malu clan of Oswal Jains.
- Initiated into monasticism in 1812 VS by Vachak Amritdharmiji Maharaj under the leadership of Acharya Shri Jinlabhsuri ji Maharaj of the Khartar Gachha.
- His education was guided by Upadhyay Shri Rajsomji Maharaj and Upadhyay Shri Rupchandji Maharaj (Ramvijayji).
Significant Contributions:
- He is credited with the ritualistic invocation (abhimantran) of the "Vashchurn" used by ascetics of the Khartar Gachha during various religious ceremonies like diksha, major diksha, yogarohana, etc. His name is invoked in these rituals to this day, a rare honor in the Jain tradition.
- His spiritual successor line (shishya santati) continues to exist.
- He traveled extensively across Rajasthan, Kathiawad, Gujarat, Bengal, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions.
- He authored over a hundred devotional works and treatises on Jain principles.
Literary Works:
- Practical/Ritualistic: Sadhu Vidhi Prakash, Shravak Vidhi Prakash, Pratikraman Hetu Vichar.
- Philosophical/Scholarly: Prashnottar Sardhashatak, Vichar Shatak Beejak, and others that demonstrate his profound understanding of Agamic scriptures.
- Grammar and Logic: Works like Bhudhatu Vritti, Tarkasangrah Phakkika, and Muktawali Phakkika (currently unavailable) showcase his deep knowledge of grammar and his clear logical reasoning.
- Many of his writings remain unpublished, with a collection of 121 minor works currently being compiled.
Demise: He passed away in Bikaner in 1873 VS, on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Paush. The year 2016 marks the 200th anniversary of his passing.

About the Manuscript and Compilation:

The present text is a transcription of a manuscript copy found in the Khartar Gachha Sahitya Kosh (Catalog of Khartar Gachha Literature) at serial number 1077.
The manuscript was obtained from the directors of the Shri Jinbhadr Suri Gyanbhandar in Jaisalmer, with the assistance of Pujya Punyakar Ratnavijayji Maharaj.
The manuscript, spanning twenty-nine pages, is largely accurate and contains many Jain devotional hymns (Jinstavan), devotional songs, and songs dedicated to Dada Gurudev Jinadatta Suri.
Each page has twelve lines, and each line contains forty-four characters, written in a beautiful and legible script.

Summary of the Narrated Story (from the provided stanzas):

Dhal 1: Introduces Dwarka city ruled by Lord Krishna. It then introduces Seth Thavachha and his virtuous son, also named Thavacchaputra. Thavacchaputra is married to a beautiful woman. At this time, Lord Neminath is preaching at Girnar with eighteen thousand monks. Thavacchaputra, hearing the divine discourse, is inspired and resolves to renounce worldly life. He returns home and informs his mother of his decision.
Dhal 2: Thavacchaputra’s mother pleads with him not to renounce, emphasizing his importance to her and the family, and urging him to enjoy worldly pleasures, marry more wives, and continue the lineage. Thavacchaputra explains the impermanence of human life and the futility of worldly attachments. He describes the body as impure and full of bodily fluids and excretions. He highlights the insecurity of wealth, which can be lost to thieves, fire, water, or kings. He dismisses the notion that monastic life is too difficult, stating that true difficulty lies in clinging to worldly desires, and it is the weak-minded who find renunciation hard. Despite his mother’s pleas and her eventual reluctant permission, he remains steadfast.
Dhal 3: Thavacchaputra’s mother goes to Lord Krishna to seek his intervention. She explains her son's desire to renounce and requests royal blessings for a celebratory send-off. Krishna assures her he will handle the preparations. Krishna then visits Thavacchaputra, urging him not to renounce and promising him protection. Thavacchaputra replies that his true enemies are death and old age, which even Krishna cannot avert, and only by destroying accumulated karma can he overcome them. Krishna then makes a public proclamation in the city: "Listen, O beloved ones! Thavacchaputra will accept renunciation. Any king, prince, merchant, or commander who supports him will have their family responsibilities taken care of by me." Hearing this, a thousand men are inspired to join Thavacchaputra in renunciation. Krishna celebrates this occasion with great fanfare. Thavacchaputra, accompanied by Krishna, approaches the Samavasarana and, after offering his ornaments to his mother, enters the preaching assembly and accepts vows along with thousands of others, becoming a monk with fourteen Purvas.
Dhal 4: Thavacchaputra and his fellow monks engage in pure conduct and travel. They arrive near Selagpur and preach to King Selag, who accepts twelve vows of a lay follower. Later, the monks visit Sogandhika Puri. The wealthy merchant Sudarshan hears the teachings of a monk (possibly Thavacchaputra or one of his companions) and accepts the vows of a lay follower, abandoning his inferior stage of spiritual development. Shuk Tapas, a disciple of Sudarshan, also hears the teachings and leads a thousand disciples to the merchant's house. Sudarshan invites Shuk Tapas to meet the monks. The monks engage in a debate with Shuk Tapas, who, after understanding the teachings, renounces his Sankhya beliefs and accepts monasticism along with his thousand followers. Thavacchaputra continues his journey with thousands of disciples and eventually reaches Vimla-achal mountain, where he performs a month-long ascetic practice (Santhara) and attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and liberation. The text concludes with the date of composition and a tribute to the author, Muni Kshamkalyan.

In essence, "Thavacchaputra Anagar Chaudhaliya" is a narrative that highlights the path of renunciation, the importance of spiritual guidance, the support of the spiritual community, and the ultimate attainment of liberation through righteous conduct and detachment from worldly possessions and relationships, all presented in an accessible and engaging storytelling format.