Vajrakumar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vajrakumar" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Vajrakumar Author(s): JAINA Education Committee Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Summary:

The story begins in the city of Tumbivan with a wealthy Brahmin named Dhangiri and his wife Sunanda, who is pregnant. Sunanda has a beautiful dream, which her husband interprets as a sign of a bright and charming child.

Shortly after, a Jain Acharya named Sinhgiri arrives in the city. Dhangiri, influenced by the Acharya's sermons, loses interest in his worldly possessions and decides to become a monk. He informs his wife, Sunanda, who is initially shocked but, understanding his decision due to her own religious background, accepts it. Dhangiri makes financial arrangements for his family before renouncing his worldly life.

Sunanda gives birth to a handsome and lovable baby boy. Her happiness is short-lived when, during a visit from neighbors, she overhears a comment about her husband's renunciation. The baby, upon hearing the word "Diksha" (renunciation), miraculously remembers a past life. He realizes his spiritual potential and decides to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a monk. Knowing his mother would be reluctant, he devises a plan: he begins to cry incessantly, hoping to exasperate her and gain her permission to leave.

His plan works, and Sunanda, overwhelmed by his constant crying, becomes fed up. When Muni Dhangiri and Acharya Sinhgiri return to the city, Sunanda sees an opportunity. She approaches Muni Dhangiri and pleads with him to take her child, stating her exhaustion and unhappiness. Muni Dhangiri, remembering his Guru's unusual instruction to accept even a "live thing" as alms, agrees to take the child, but with a warning that she cannot reclaim him later. Sunanda, desperate to be rid of the crying, readily agrees and places the child into Muni Dhangiri's alms bag.

Upon receiving the child, he immediately stops crying and smiles, surprising Sunanda. Muni Dhangiri, with the smiling child in his bag, meets Acharya Sinhgiri, who notices the child's weight and names him "Vajrakumar" (meaning diamond prince or steadfast prince).

Acharya Sinhgiri entrusts Vajrakumar to a devout Jain householder and his wife, with the instruction that he should be taught Jain religious principles, as he has the potential to become a great Acharya. The householder's wife dotes on Vajrakumar, taking him everywhere, including to visit Jain nuns. By the age of three, Vajrakumar has memorized the oldest Jain scriptures (eleven Angas) and speaks with remarkable intelligence and maturity.

One day, a friend of Sunanda's tells her about the delightful and calm child she has seen at the Upashray (monks' dwelling). This prompts Sunanda to regret her decision and long to see her son again.

When Acharya Sinhgiri and Muni Dhangiri return to Tumbivan, Sunanda seeks them out to request the return of her son, expressing her inability to live without him. Muni Dhangiri reminds her of her voluntary renunciation and the finality of her decision. Desperate, Sunanda approaches the king for help.

The king investigates the situation and confirms that Sunanda willingly gave away her child due to exhaustion. He informs her that what is given cannot be taken back. However, sensing her deep maternal affection, the king proposes a solution: he will call Sunanda and Muni Dhangiri to the courthouse, and Vajrakumar himself will decide whom he wants to go with.

The next day, in the packed courthouse, Sunanda tries to entice Vajrakumar with toys, sweets, and clothes. Muni Dhangiri, in contrast, has only his Ogho (a broom). The king presents Vajrakumar with the choice between his mother and the monk. Vajrakumar, after a moment of contemplation, picks up the Ogho, smiles, and chooses to sit with Muni Dhangiri, signifying his commitment to renunciation.

The assembly, including Sunanda and the king, is amazed by the young boy's decision to embrace monkhood over a life of luxury. Sunanda accepts his choice and celebrates his "diksha" (initiation into monkhood) with joy. The story concludes by highlighting Vajrakumar's future success as a great Acharya and emphasizing that it is never too early to learn and practice religious values.