Tirthankar Charitra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tirthankar Charitra" by Muni Sumermal (Ladnun), based on the provided pages:

Title: Tirthankar Charitra (A Simple and Concise Biography of the Twenty-Four Tirthankaras) Author: Muni Sumermal (Ladnun) Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun Edition: Fifth Edition, 1995

Overview:

"Tirthankar Charitra" is a significant Jain text that provides a simplified and accessible account of the lives of all twenty-four Tirthankaras. Muni Sumermal, guided by the inspiration of his Acharya, aimed to present these biographies in straightforward, conversational language. The book is intended for a wide audience, including those with less formal education, to impart essential knowledge about the Tirthankaras and Jainism.

Key Themes and Content:

Significance of Tirthankara Biographies: The author emphasizes that the lives of the Tirthankaras are a vast repository of Jain history, offering insights into the social, political, and religious customs of their times. Their stories reflect the philosophical beliefs and socio-political consciousness of their eras. The preservation of these accounts by ancient āchāryas is considered a great service to future generations.
Historical and Scriptural Context:
- The text acknowledges that some minor differences exist between Shvetambara and Digambara traditions regarding the Tirthankaras' lives, such as the number of dreams a mother has upon conception (14 in Shvetambara, 16 in Digambara) and specific birth dates.
- It highlights the importance of history as a source of knowledge and inspiration, stating that "that which does not have history, has nothing."
- The author notes that while detailed histories of each Tirthankara are available in Jain scriptures, this book aims to provide a concise overview.
The Concept of Tirthankaras:
- Importance: Tirthankaras hold the highest position in Jain tradition, even being revered before Siddhas in the Namaskāra Mahāmantra. They are embodiments of infinite knowledge, perception, and conduct, representing the pinnacle of spiritual evolution.
- Independence: A unique aspect of Jainism is that each Tirthankara establishes their own independent tradition and teachings, not directly inheriting or passing on specific doctrines from previous or subsequent Tirthankaras.
- The "Tirth" Creator: The term "Tirthankara" signifies one who creates or establishes the "Tirth," which refers to the religious doctrine (pravachana) that helps beings cross the ocean of existence. The Tirth includes the fourfold community: monks (sādhus), nuns (sādhvis), laymen (shravakas), and laywomen (shravikas).
- Number 24: The book explains the rationale behind having 24 Tirthankaras in each time cycle (avasarpini and utsarpini), relating it to the geographical and temporal divisions within the Jain cosmological framework, particularly the five Bharat and five Airavat regions where Tirthankaras can manifest.
- Causes for Tirthankara Gotra Bandha: The text outlines twenty reasons for binding the Tirthankara name-karma, stemming from devotion, service, knowledge, virtuous conduct, and strengthening the Jain faith.
Key Characteristics of Tirthankaras:
- Thirty-Four Atishayas (Supernatural Attributes): The book details the 34 extraordinary qualities possessed by Tirthankaras, which are categorized into four inherent to their birth (related to body and senses), eleven resulting from the destruction of karma, and nineteen bestowed by divine beings.
- Thirty-Five Vachanātishayas (Attributes of Speech): It lists 35 special qualities related to their speech, emphasizing its clarity, profoundness, attractiveness, and ability to convey truth without error or ambiguity.
- Distinction from Sarvajñas (Omniscient Beings): While Tirthankaras are omniscient, they have specific characteristics that differentiate them from other omniscient beings, including their role in establishing the Tirth and possessing certain specific physical and spiritual attributes.
Biographies of the First Few Tirthankaras (as detailed in the provided pages):
- Lord Rishabhdev (First Tirthankara):
  - His life is described as occurring at the end of the Yauglic (primitive) era, when the existing societal order was breaking down.
  - The text details his previous births where he acquired the Tirthankara name-karma, including his birth as Dhanna Sarthavah and Prince Vajranabh.
  - His birth in the womb of Marudevī, the fourteen auspicious dreams, his birth, naming (as Vrishabhdev/Rishabh), and the establishment of the Ikshvaku dynasty.
  - His marriage to Sunanda and Sumangala, the birth of his 100 sons and 2 daughters (including Bharat and Bahubali).
  - His coronation as the first king, the establishment of agriculture, fire, cooking, arts, and societal structures (like the four varnas: Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and later Brahmin during Bharat's reign).
  - His renunciation (abhinishkraman), thirty-three days of varshidaan (gift-giving before renunciation), his kevalgyan (omniscience) under a Shamyaka tree, and the establishment of the fourfold Jain community.
  - The lives of his prominent sons, Bharat (first Chakravarti) and Bahubali, and their eventual attainment of omniscience.
  - His nirvana on Ashtapad mountain.
- Lord Ajitnath (Second Tirthankara):
  - His previous birth as King Vimalvahan and his ascetic practices leading to the binding of Tirthankara name-karma.
  - His birth in the womb of Queen Vijaya, the fourteen dreams, and his birth.
  - His naming as Ajitnath due to his auspicious influence.
  - His marriage, rule, and subsequent renunciation.
  - His kevalgyan and establishment of the Tirth.
  - His nirvana on Sammed Shikhar.
- Lord Sambhavnath (Third Tirthankara):
  - His previous birth as King Vipulvahan, his virtuous actions during a famine, and his asceticism leading to Tirthankara status.
  - His birth in the womb of Queen Senadevi, the fourteen dreams, and his birth in Shravasti.
  - His naming as Sambhavnath due to the prosperity that occurred during his conception.
  - His marriage, rule, renunciation, kevalgyan, and nirvana.
- Lord Abhinandannath (Fourth Tirthankara):
  - His previous birth as King Mahabal, his detachment from worldly pleasures, and his acceptance of asceticism.
  - His birth in the womb of Queen Siddharthā in Ayodhya.
  - His naming as Abhinandannath due to the joy and prosperity that marked his birth and reign.
  - His marriage, rule, renunciation, kevalgyan, and nirvana.
- Lord Sumatinath (Fifth Tirthankara):
  - His previous birth as Purushsingh, his renunciation, and the binding of Tirthankara name-karma.
  - His birth in the womb of Queen Mangalāvatī in Ayodhya.
  - His naming as Sumatinath, influenced by his mother's wisdom during pregnancy.
  - His marriage, rule, renunciation, kevalgyan, and nirvana.

The provided text continues to detail the lives of the subsequent Tirthankaras up to Lord Chandaprabha (Ninth), Lord Suvidhinath (Tenth), Lord Shitalnath (Eleventh), Lord Shreyansnath (Twelfth), Lord Vasupujya (Thirteenth), Lord Vimalnath (Fourteenth), Lord Anantnath (Fifteenth), Lord Dharmanath (Sixteenth), Lord Shantinath (Seventeenth), Lord Kunthunath (Eighteenth), Lord Aranath (Nineteenth), Lord Mallinath (Twentieth - notably born as a female in this life), Lord Munisuvrata (Twenty-first), Lord Naminath (Twenty-second), Lord Arishtanemi (Twenty-third - historically significant, cousin of Krishna), Lord Parshvanath (Twenty-third - historically significant, proponent of Chatur-yama dharma), and Lord Mahavir (Twenty-fourth - the final Tirthankara of this era, founder of the current Jain dispensation).

Writing Style:

The book is praised for its simple, clear, and engaging language, written in a narrative style that makes the lives of the Tirthankaras relatable and inspiring. It avoids excessive scholarly jargon, making it accessible to a broad readership.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of "Tirthankar Charitra" is to educate and inspire readers about the profound lives and teachings of the Tirthankaras, fostering an understanding and appreciation of Jain principles. It serves as an introductory text for anyone seeking to learn about these pivotal figures in Jainism.