Tu Rangai Jane Rangma 07 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tu Rangai Jane Rangma 07" by Purnanand Prakashan, focusing on its content and purpose:

Book Title: Tu Rangai Jane Rangma 07 (meaning "May You Be Colored in the Color") Author(s): Purnanand Prakashan (with specific story contributions from Shri Arvindbhai) Publisher: Purnanand Prakashan, Ahmedabad

Overall Purpose: "Tu Rangai Jane Rangma 07" is the seventh installment in a series of coloring storybooks designed to introduce young children to the principles and teachings of Jainism. The primary aim is to engage children through art and storytelling, instilling moral values and spiritual understanding rooted in the Jain faith. It seeks to color the lives of children with the "colors of the Jin Shasan" (Jainism).

Key Features and Content:

Coloring Storybook Format: Each story is accompanied by illustrations intended for children to color. This interactive approach makes learning enjoyable and fosters creativity.
Moral and Spiritual Lessons: The book presents short, engaging stories that convey important Jain ethical principles, virtues, and historical anecdotes. These lessons are designed to be easily understood and internalized by children.
Focus on Character Development: The stories highlight exemplary characters and their actions, encouraging children to emulate virtues like compassion, truthfulness, integrity, perseverance, and devotion.
Questionnaire and Competition: Page 2 introduces a competition for young readers. It includes eight questions based on the stories within the booklet, with specific instructions on how to submit answers (e.g., via postcard, single-word answers, including name and address). This encourages active reading and comprehension.
Acknowledgement and Gratitude: The publisher expresses gratitude to Shri Arvindbhai for contributing the stories and to Pujya Nyayachandrasagarji M.Sa. for inspiration and guidance.
Guidance for Parents/Guardians: The introductory message to children (Page 2) encourages them to make their childhood a foundation for a bright future by incorporating the virtues learned from the stories. It emphasizes the importance of religious knowledge for developing and sustaining good character.

Summary of Key Stories/Themes (based on the provided text):

The book contains several distinct stories, each with a moral lesson:

The Fruit of Contempt (Page 4-5): This story illustrates the consequences of looking down upon or disrespecting someone, especially those in need. It highlights how karma works, suggesting that disrespecting a beggar can lead to the loss of one's own fortune and the beggar taking away one's merit. It emphasizes the importance of compassion and charity.
The Power of Lord's Darshan (Page 6-7): This story recounts the experience of Mathadhipati Pethadshah, who achieved success in a gold-making ritual but then had a profound realization upon seeing the Jin temple. The "Darshan" (vision) of the Lord made him regret the harm caused to numerous plants (one-sensed beings) during his experiment. He vows to use his wealth for charitable purposes and never repeat the harmful practice, showcasing the transformative power of spiritual encounters.
The Lion and the Minister (Page 8-9): This narrative features a Jain minister who is entrusted with caring for the king's pet lion. Despite the lion being carnivorous, the minister, adhering to his strict principles of non-violence (Ahimsa), refuses to feed it meat. Instead, he offers milk pudding. Initially, the lion rejects it, but the minister's unwavering compassion and firm adherence to his dharma eventually impress the lion, leading it to adopt an all-vegetable diet. This story emphasizes the immense power of Ahimsa and inner conviction.
The Unrivaled King of Intellect (Page 10-11): This story focuses on the intelligence of young Siddhraj (later known as Jayasimha Siddharaj), a famous ruler. It describes how his sharp wit and quick thinking impressed even the Delhi Sultan, leading to a favorable diplomatic outcome for Gujarat. The story highlights the importance of intelligence and courage in overcoming challenges.
The Uncivilized Became Ascetic (Page 12-13): This story tells of Advarkumar, the prince of an "Anarya" (non-Jain/uncivilized) land, who is gifted a statue of an Arhant by his friend Abhaykumar. Through intense contemplation and connection with the statue, Advarkumar gains recollection of past lives and a strong desire for asceticism. Despite his father's attempts to prevent him, he escapes and eventually takes a Jain monastic vow, marking the first instance of an "Anarya" born individual taking a Jain initiation in the teachings of Lord Mahavir. This emphasizes the power of past karmic imprints and the universality of spiritual seeking.
The Tragic End of Greed (Page 14-15): This story vividly depicts the downfall of a wealthy merchant obsessed with accumulating more wealth. His extreme greed leads him to lock himself inside his own treasure vault, where he perishes. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive attachment to material possessions, highlighting that wealth cannot be taken with us after death.
Truth Prevails (Page 16-17): This story narrates a dispute between two friends, Narad Muni and Parvat Upadhyay, regarding the interpretation of a Sanskrit verse during a Vedic ritual. They seek judgment from their friend Vasu, who is now a king. Due to pressure from his mother (to save her son Parvat), Vasu makes a false statement. The story illustrates the severe karmic consequences of lying and supporting falsehood, with divine retribution striking Vasu and leading to his demise and descent into hell. It emphasizes the supreme importance of truth (Satyameva Jayate).
Devotion to Sadharmik or Guru (Page 18-19): This story features a humble devotee, Dhanashah, who, despite his poverty, dedicates a hand-spun garment to his guru, Acharya Hemchandrasuri. The guru, in turn, uses this humble offering, which prompts King Kumarpal to question its simplicity. The guru uses this opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for the less fortunate (Sadharmiks) and the value of devotional intent over material richness. This leads King Kumarpal to pledge a substantial annual sum for the welfare of Sadharmiks, showcasing the profound impact of devotion and the importance of communal welfare.

In essence, "Tu Rangai Jane Rangma 07" is an educational and engaging tool designed to instill Jain values in children through the captivating medium of stories and art. It aims to make spiritual learning accessible, enjoyable, and a foundational part of a child's upbringing.