Udayan Vasavdatta

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Udayan Vasavdatta" presented by the Jain Education Board:

This comic book, "Udayan Vasavdatta," is a Jain Education Board presentation aimed at providing knowledge through an engaging and accessible medium for children. The introduction highlights the importance of knowledge and how visual aids like attractive, colorful pictures are crucial for children's learning and retention. It acknowledges the fast-paced modern era and the limited time children have for extensive reading, making the comic book format ideal for conveying the vast wisdom found in Jain scriptures, such as the Gyata Dharma Katha Sutra. The text emphasizes that children are drawn to comics, making this a suitable approach to introduce them to the life of Lord Mahavir, the Tirthankaras, and Jain philosophical concepts like forgiveness, bravery, friendship, detachment, intellect, and cunning.

The narrative of "Udayan Vasavdatta" itself is presented as a story that illustrates the eternal truth that enmity cannot be overcome by enmity, but by love, harmony, and humility.

Key points from the story:

• The Historical Context: The story is set in ancient India, featuring the kingdoms of Kaushambi and Ujjain.
• Initial Conflict: King Chandpradyota of Ujjain, despite being related by marriage to King Shatranik of Kaushambi, harbors greed and lust, leading to enmity and a desire to destroy Kaushambi.
• Queen Mrigavati's Wisdom: Queen Mrigavati, Shatranik's wife, demonstrates foresight, timely action, and the power of peace and love, which initially changes Chandpradyota's heart.
• Prince Udayan and the Renewed Conflict: During Prince Udayan's time, Chandpradyota again prepares to attack Kaushambi. However, Udayan and Vasavdatta (Chandpradyota's daughter) resolve this animosity through love.
• Chandpradyota's Desire for Mrigavati: Chandpradyota, upon seeing a portrait of Queen Mrigavati, becomes infatuated and demands her from King Shatranik as a gift. This demand leads to a fierce war.
• The War and Kaushambi's Defense: Chandpradyota's army attacks Kaushambi, resulting in the deaths of many warriors, including King Shatranik. The ministers and commanders decide to fight valiantly but recognize the need for wisdom. Queen Mrigavati, prioritizing the welfare of her people and the state, devises a plan.
• Mrigavati's Strategic Diplomacy: Mrigavati sends a messenger to Chandpradyota, offering a strategic alliance and indicating that Kaushambi would be reliant on him after the king's death. She skillfully uses Chandpradyota's desire for her to secure Kaushambi's safety and rebuilding, ultimately making the city impregnable.
• Renunciation and Divine Intervention: After the strengthening of Kaushambi, Queen Mrigavati, with the support of her people, takes refuge in the presence of Lord Mahavir, who is arriving in Kaushambi. Chandpradyota also attends Lord Mahavir's discourse. Influenced by the teachings and Mrigavati's humility, Chandpradyota forgives his past actions and grants her permission to take diksha (renunciation). Mrigavati, along with other queens, becomes a disciple of Arya Chandanbala.
• Udayan's Kingship: Chandpradyota then crowns Prince Udayan as the king of Kaushambi and returns to Ujjain.
• Vasavdatta's Yearning and Udayan's Skill: Twelve years later, Vasavdatta, Chandpradyota's beautiful and intelligent daughter, desires to learn the art of veena playing from the renowned master, Udayan, whom she admires for his musical talent and the stories of his prowess.
• Chandpradyota's Deception: Chandpradyota, wanting to fulfill his daughter's wish and also to keep Udayan close, devises a clever plan. He has Udayan tricked into coming to Ujjain by presenting a mechanical elephant.
• The Deception of Blindness: Udayan is told that Vasavdatta is blind and wants to learn the veena from him, and that he (Udayan) is afflicted with leprosy. This is a deception to make Vasavdatta feel safe and avoid shame, and to make Udayan more amenable to teaching her.
• Love Blossoms: Despite the initial deception, Udayan and Vasavdatta develop a deep attraction for each other. They communicate and plan their escape.
• The Escape: With the help of Udayan's loyal friend Vasanta and his minister Yaugandharayana, Udayan and Vasavdatta elope. They use a special elephant and a potion derived from elephant urine to deter pursuit by Chandpradyota's army and his enraged elephant, Analaigiri.
• The Resolution: Chandpradyota, initially furious, is eventually pacified by his ministers and the royal priest, who highlight that Vasavdatta has chosen a virtuous husband and that his daughter's happiness is paramount. He sends gifts for the newly married couple.
• Spiritual Fulfillment: Udayan and Vasavdatta, along with their armies, visit Lord Mahavir. Udayan expresses a desire to meet his mother, Mahasati Mrigavati, who has attained kevalgyana (omniscience) and is residing in another garden with Arya Chandanbala. Udayan and Vasavdatta visit Mrigavati and also meet Vasavdatta's mother, Mahasati Angaravati, and receive spiritual teachings. They dedicate their lives to the worship of Jinadharma, achieving spiritual success.

The comic book is a presentation by the Jain Education Board, inspired by Pujya Gurudev Shri Namramuniji M.S. It is part of a series of Hindi comics that aim to bring Jain teachings and heroic figures to children. The book is available for a subsidized price through donor contributions.

The text also includes information about Parasdham, a modern spiritual center in Mumbai inspired by Gurudev Shri Namramuniji M.S., dedicated to knowledge, meditation, and spiritual practices, featuring classes for children and a peaceful environment for spiritual growth.

In essence, "Udayan Vasavdatta" is a Jain comic book that uses a historical narrative to teach valuable lessons about overcoming enmity with love, the importance of wisdom and diplomacy, the power of spiritual guidance, and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.