Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Trishasti Shalaka Purusha Charitra Part 4" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Trishasti Shalaka Purusha Charitra Part 4 Author: Hemchandracharya Publisher: Jain Prakashak Mandal Ahmedabad Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/001013/1

Overall Content:

This is the fourth part of a multi-volume Jain scripture, the "Trishasti Shalaka Purusha Charitra" (The Biographies of the Sixty-Three Illustrious Persons). This specific volume, Part 4, focuses on Perva 10 (The Tenth Chapter) of the larger work, which is dedicated to the Biography of Lord Mahavir Swami. The text is presented in Gujarati and includes numerous colorful illustrations.

Key Themes and Highlights:

• Lord Mahavir's Life Story: The central focus of this volume is the detailed narrative of Lord Mahavir Swami's life. This includes his previous births (Pūrva Bhava), his birth, initiation, spiritual practices, enlightenment (Kevala Jnana), founding of the four-fold Jain community (Sangha), and his sermons and teachings.
• Previous Lives (Pūrva Bhava): The text traces Lord Mahavir's spiritual journey through numerous past lives, highlighting the accumulation of merits and the development of virtues that eventually led him to become a Tirthankara.
• Key Events and Miracles: The narrative recounts significant events in Lord Mahavir's life, such as his divine birth, the dreams of his mother, the exchange of the embryo, his marriage, his renunciation and the associated hardships, the penances he undertook, and the various divine interventions and miracles associated with him.
• Disciples and Followers: The text also introduces and describes the lives of many important individuals associated with Lord Mahavir's teachings, including his Ganadharas (chief disciples like Gautam Swami, Agni Bhuti, Vayu Bhuti), prominent lay followers (Shravakas and Shravikas), kings, queens, and even some characters who were his adversaries or underwent spiritual transformation.
• Philosophical and Ethical Teachings: While recounting the life events, the text implicitly or explicitly conveys core Jain philosophical concepts, ethical principles, the karma theory, and the path to liberation (Moksha).
• Illustrations: The presence of "bahurangi chitro" (multicolored pictures) suggests that the book is visually rich, aiding the reader's understanding and engagement with the stories.
• Historical and Spiritual Significance: The Trishasti Shalaka Purusha Charitra is considered a monumental epic in Jain literature, providing a comprehensive historical and spiritual account of the most revered figures in Jainism. This part is crucial for understanding the culmination of the path towards omniscence and liberation through Lord Mahavir.

Structure of Perva 10 (as indicated by the Table of Contents):

The detailed table of contents on pages 8-13 outlines the structure of this Perva, which is divided into several "Sarga" (chapters/sections):

• Sarga 1: Description of Mahavir Swami's previous births (Pūrva Bhava).
• Sarga 2: Mahavir's birth and initiation ceremony.
• Sarga 3: Mahavir's first six years of wandering and spiritual practice.
• Sarga 4: Mahavir's second six years of wandering and spiritual practice.
• Sarga 5: Lord Mahavir achieving Kevala Jnana (Omniscience) and establishing the Sangha.
• Sarga 6: Biographies of Shrenik, Meghkumar, Nandiṣeṇa, etc.
• Sarga 7: Narratives of Chillana, Shrenik, Ārdra Kumār, etc.
• Sarga 8: Stories of Rishabhdatta, Devānanda, Jamāli, Gośāla, etc., and Lord Mahavir's health issues.
• Sarga 9: Biographies of Hālik, Prasannachandra, Durādev, Shālibhadra, etc.
• Sarga 10: Biographies of Dashārṇabhadra and Dhanna Śālibhadra.
• Sarga 11: Narratives of Rauhiṇeya, Abhayakumār, Udāyan, Chandapradyota, Mrigāvatī, etc.
• Sarga 12: Biographies related to Vitabhayapattan, Abhayakumār, Koṇik, Chēṭakrāja, Udāyi, Kumārapāla, etc.
• Sarga 13: Lord Mahavir's final sermon, Nirvana, and the future prophecies.
• Sarga 14: Praise of the author.

Publisher's Note (Prakāśakīya Nivedan - Page 4):

The publisher expresses joy in re-publishing the Gujarati translation of this great epic by Kālīkālasarvajña Shri Hemchandracharya. The grand work, spanning thirty-six thousand hours of composition, covers the lives of 63 Shalaka Purushas (24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartins, 9 Vasudevas, 9 Baladevas, and 9 Prativāsudevas), detailing their previous lives and significant life events. The publisher views this book as a comprehensive collection of Jain knowledge, containing history, teachings, stories, principles of Dravya, karma shastra, and more, calling it a treasure trove of subhashitas (wise sayings). They mention that the original translation was done by Shri Jain Dharma Prasaraka Sabha of Bhavnagar and has seen many reprints due to high demand. This particular republication is in memory of the 900th birth anniversary of Hemchandracharya. They request readers to point out any errors.

Conclusion:

Part 4 of the Trishasti Shalaka Purusha Charitra, focusing on Lord Mahavir's biography, is a significant Jain text that serves as a repository of spiritual knowledge, historical accounts of the Tirthankara, and ethical guidance for followers. Its detailed narrative and likely illustrations make it a valuable resource for understanding the life and teachings of the 24th Tirthankara.