Tran Ratno

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tran Ratno" (Three Jewels) by Suresh Gandhi, based on the provided pages:

The book "Tran Ratno" by Suresh Gandhi tells the story of Prince Shrenik of Magadha and his son Abhay, highlighting the journey of spiritual realization and the true meaning of "Three Jewels" in Jainism.

The early life of Shrenik: The narrative begins by describing Prince Shrenik's youthful reign. He falls prey to a decadent lifestyle, indulging in promiscuity and addiction, influenced by his companions and courtly sycophants. During the spring festival of Holi, driven by carnal desires, he goes on a hunting expedition in the Venuvana forest, resulting in the senseless killing of animals.

The encounter with Nanda: Still unsatisfied, Shrenik, seeking to fulfill his lust, hears about a farmer's daughter named Nanda who is protecting her beauty from hunters. He visits her humble dwelling at midnight. Upon seeing Nanda, Shrenik is captivated by her beauty. He stays with her and her father for four days, during which he seduces and compromises Nanda. Before leaving, he gives her his royal ring and invites her to his capital, Rajagriha, if she ever visits Magadha.

Nanda's hardship and Abhay's birth: Shrenik leaves without revealing his identity, but Nanda becomes pregnant. Her father dies shortly after from a snakebite. Nanda, with the help of supportive friends, raises her son, Abhay, through hard labor for fifteen years.

Abhay's quest and recognition: As Abhay reaches adolescence, he questions his mother about his father. Nanda gives him the royal ring, explaining that his father lives in Rajagriha. Abhay and Nanda travel to Rajagriha. Abhay, seeking his father, learns about a royal decree: whoever retrieves a gold ring with three jewels from a deep, inaccessible well, without entering it or using any tools, will be appointed the Prime Minister of Magadha. Abhay, recognizing this as a simple challenge, devises a clever plan. With the help of the gathered crowd, he has fresh cow dung patties placed on the ring. He then ignites dry grass over the dung, drying it out and causing the ring to stick. By filling the well with water, the dung floats to the surface, allowing Abhay to retrieve the ring and present it to the king's official. Impressed, Abhay is taken to King Shrenik. When Abhay presents the ring and recounts the story, Shrenik is deeply moved and recognizes his son. He appoints Abhay as Prime Minister and brings Nanda to the royal palace.

Shrenik's transformation and spiritual awakening: The story then highlights Shrenik's significant transformation over the past ten years. Influenced by the teachings of Lord Mahavir, he has abandoned his vices and embraced a life of virtue, compassion, and public welfare. He is dedicated to the happiness of his subjects and has initiated the construction of wells and water tanks, emphasizing compassion and non-violence. However, he is in search of a wise and capable Prime Minister.

The true "Three Jewels": To celebrate Abhay's appointment and his reunion with his wife and son, King Shrenik invites Lord Mahavir to Rajagriha. Lord Mahavir arrives with his monastic order and preaches his divine message. Abhay, deeply touched by Mahavir's teachings, presents the ring with the three jewels to the Lord. Lord Mahavir explains that for monks, material jewels are irrelevant; the true and invaluable "Three Jewels" are Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Gyan (Right Knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct). These jewels have the power to enrich both the self and others.

Abhay's renunciation: Inspired by Lord Mahavir's words, Abhay contemplates the path of these true jewels. Shortly after, a poor woodcutter, who has taken monastic vows under Lord Mahavir, arrives in Rajagriha. This monk faces rejection and ridicule from the townspeople for his poverty. Abhay, witnessing this, intervenes with compassion. He tries to explain the significance of the monk's renunciation to the skeptical crowd, using the three jewels from his ring as a metaphor. He states that those who renounce worldly attachments are like those who accept cold water (as opposed to hot), reject fire (anger and passions), and abstain from worldly pleasures (women). The monk, embodying the true renunciation, rejects the material ring, stating that the monks possess far more valuable jewels. The people, humbled, realize their error.

Abhay's spiritual path: The next day, Abhay follows the example of the woodcutter monk and takes monastic vows, embarking on a spiritual journey to seek the same "immaterial brilliance" that the monk embodies. The story concludes with Abhay and the monk walking towards the wilderness, their inner doors opening like the storm-battered windows of the city, seeking ultimate truth.