Trushna Ka Jal Diwakar Chitrakatha 030 - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Trushna ka Jal Diwakar Chitrakatha 030" by Madankunvar and Shreechand Surana, published by Diwakar Prakashan, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Trushna ka Jal (The Net of Greed) Author(s): Madankunvar, Shreechand Surana Publisher: Diwakar Prakashan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/002829/1

Overall Theme: The story, narrated by Lord Mahavir, illustrates the destructive nature of greed (trushna) and the path to liberation through contentment and detachment. It emphasizes that true happiness comes not from accumulating wealth, but from controlling one's desires.

Summary of the Narrative:

The story begins by explaining that both the poor and the rich suffer. The poor suffer due to lack of basic necessities, while the rich suffer from an insatiable desire for more, even when they have plenty. The book highlights that while physical hunger can be satisfied, the hunger of the mind is like a bottomless pit. The only way to fill this pit is to control desires, like reining in a horse of greed with the reins of contentment.

The central character is Kapil, a poor but simple Brahmin student. He falls in love with a slave girl. In his desire to obtain just two grams of gold for her, he is caught and accused of theft. The king, impressed by his honesty, offers him a boon. This offer ignites Kapil's greed. He contemplates asking for enough to never have to ask again, even considering asking for the entire kingdom, yet his mind remains unsatisfied. Ultimately, his mind turns away from greed, and he resolves not to ask for anything.

The book then delves into the specific story of Kapil's upbringing:

Kausambi's Royal Priest Kashyap: Kashyap, the royal priest of Kausambi, has a son named Kapil in his old age. The king, Prasenjit, attends the naming ceremony and bestows a silver palanquin upon Kashyap as an honor for his service, recognizing his intellectual prowess.
Kashyap's Dilemma: Kashyap proudly tells his wife, Yashaa, about the honor. The next day, he rides in the silver palanquin to the royal court. However, Yashaa, due to her maternal attachment, refuses to send Kapil to a gurukul for his education. She believes home tutoring by his father's scholar friends would suffice.
Father's Wisdom vs. Mother's Affection: Kashyap wisely explains that the comprehensive development a child receives in a gurukul cannot be replicated at home, comparing it to a tree flourishing in a forest but not in a courtyard. Yashaa insists that if a seed has potential, it will grow anywhere. Kashyap warns that if Kapil isn't sent to a gurukul, he will remain ignorant, leading to regret for Yashaa.
Kapil's Downfall: Yashaa's indulgence leads Kapil to become spoiled. He spends his days playing with friends and has no interest in studying. Kashyap eventually falls ill and dies. The king appoints another scholar, Somil, as the new royal priest.
The Sting of Envy: Kapil witnesses the new royal priest, Somil, passing by in the same silver palanquin, accompanied by celebratory music. Seeing this, Yashaa breaks down in tears. Kapil, bewildered by her sorrow, questions why they don't have such honor. Yashaa reveals that Kapil's father was the royal priest and that Kapil's lack of education prevented him from inheriting the position.
Kapil's Resolve: Kapil, realizing his ignorance and the loss of his father's status, is filled with regret and anger towards his mother for not ensuring his education. He vows to study diligently and reclaim his father's position.
Journey to Shravasti: Yashaa suggests he seek tutelage from his father's close friend, Mahapandit Indradatta in Shravasti. Kapil, full of determination, sets off for Shravasti.
Encounter with Students: Upon reaching Shravasti, Kapil meets some gurukul students. They mock his age and his desire to study, but they direct him to Mahapandit Indradatta's ashram.
Meeting Mahapandit Indradatta: Kapil respectfully greets Indradatta, who recognizes him as the son of his dear friend Kashyap. Indradatta expresses his condolences for Kashyap's passing and asks Kapil's purpose. Kapil explains his desire to study with utmost dedication.
Indradatta's Generosity: Indradatta, facing a shortage of space, offers to accommodate Kapil in his guest room if he wishes to keep a worthy student there.
The Role of Shresthi Shalibhadra: Shresthi Shalibhadra, a wealthy merchant, visits Indradatta. Indradatta explains Kapil's situation to Shalibhadra, who offers Kapil food and lodging.
Life with Kapila: Shalibhadra takes Kapil to his home and assigns his slave girl, Kapila, to attend to his needs. Kapil dedicates himself to his studies, adhering to the gurukul's rule of eating only one meal a day.
Developing Affection: During the rainy season, Kapil falls ill with a fever. Kapila, concerned, tends to him. Her gentle touch and care stir feelings in Kapil. He expresses his appreciation for her kindness, comparing her to a celestial being. Kapila, though shy and aware of her lower status, is also drawn to Kapil. Their mutual affection grows.
The Desire for Gold: One day, Kapil finds Kapila upset because of an upcoming "slave festival" where her friends will be dressed in new clothes. She laments her inability to participate due to poverty. Kapil, touched by her sadness, remembers that the town's wealthy merchant, 'Dhan,' rewards the first person who blesses him in the morning with two grams of gold. He promises Kapila he will obtain this gold for her.
Theft Attempt: Driven by his desire to please Kapila and fulfill his promise, Kapil sets out in the middle of the night to seek the gold. He fears being caught by guards and exposing his secret love for Kapila. He is apprehended by a night watchman, who suspects him of theft.
Arrest and Royal Audience: The watchman binds Kapil and takes him to the police station. The next morning, Kapil is presented before King Jitrashatru. The king, noticing Kapil's innocent and remorseful demeanor, feels pity. He questions Kapil about his nighttime activities.
Kapil's Confession: Kapil confesses his identity as Kashyap's son and his love for a slave girl, admitting he is driven by infatuation and has wronged everyone. He accepts any punishment.
The King's Boon: The king is moved by Kapil's honest and heartfelt confession. He offers Kapil the two grams of gold he initially desired, and more, asking what he truly wants.
The Awakening of Greed: Kapil, presented with this unprecedented opportunity, is overwhelmed. His greed flares up again. He contemplates asking for a small kingdom, then more wealth, and finally, the entire throne.
Realization and Inner Struggle: Suddenly, Kapil is jolted by a realization. He recognizes his own ingratitude and the endless nature of his desires. He visualizes himself like a bull tied to an oil press, endlessly circling wealth. He sees his greed as a fire that only intensifies with more fuel. He also visualizes a kite being attacked by vultures for a piece of meat, only to lose it and be injured. This imagery leads him to the understanding that letting go is peace, and true happiness comes from renunciation.
Renunciation of Desire: Kapil finally understands the futility of his greedy pursuits. He decides he wants nothing more. He realizes that true wealth is contentment and self-control. He conquers his desires.
The King's Admiration: When Kapil doesn't return to court, the king personally goes to the garden where Kapil is meditating. Kapil, upon being gently roused, calmly tells the king that he no longer desires anything, having found the wealth of contentment and self-control.
Divine Recognition: The gods, witnessing Kapil's detachment from worldly desires, shower flowers upon him and bestow upon him the robes of a muni (ascetic). They praise him for conquering greed, which even powerful emperors and deities struggle with.
Kapil Becomes a Muni: Having overcome greed, Kapil becomes a muni.
Kapil's Discourse: The king and assembly ask Kapil how he conquered his desires. Kapil recounts his story, emphasizing how his initial desire for a small amount of gold escalated into a craving for kingdoms and thrones. He explains that, like a fire needs no more fuel, his desires ceased when he stopped feeding them. He shares the path of contentment and detachment as the source of true happiness.
Impact on Others: Kapil's story inspires many to seek the path of contentment and detachment. He then retreats to a desolate ruin for meditation.
Teaching the Thieves: A group of thieves finds him and asks about the "limitless wealth" he possesses. Kapil explains that this wealth is beyond worldly possessions and leads to freedom from suffering and future rebirths. He sings a spiritual song from the Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which deeply affects the thieves. They renounce their thieving ways, leave their families, and become his disciples, spreading the message of overcoming greed.
Attaining Keval Gyan: After six months of intense spiritual practice, Kapil attains Keval Gyan (omniscience). The teachings he shared with the thieves are preserved in the Uttaradhyayan Sutra.

Key Takeaways:

The Destructive Power of Greed: Greed (Trushna) is portrayed as a powerful, insatiable force that leads to suffering and spiritual downfall.
The Importance of Contentment: True happiness and peace are found in contentment (Santosh) and controlling one's desires.
The Path of Detachment: Renunciation (Tyag) and detachment from worldly possessions are essential for liberation from suffering.
Self-Control is True Wealth: The greatest wealth is not material possessions but the inner wealth of self-control, peace, and freedom from desires.
The Power of Wisdom: Wisdom, gained through experience and spiritual insight, can help one overcome negative tendencies.

The book uses the story of Kapil to illustrate these fundamental Jain principles in an engaging and accessible manner through illustrations and dialogues.