Vajrakumara

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vajrakumara":

The story begins in the city of Tumbivan with a wealthy Brahmin named Dhiragiri and his beautiful wife Sunanda. They lived a happy life. When Sunanda became pregnant, she had a beautiful dream, which her husband interpreted as a sign of a bright and beautiful child.

One day, a Jain acharya (spiritual teacher) named Singhagiri visited the city. Dhiragiri and Sunanda regularly attended his discourses. Listening to the acharya awakened Dhiragiri's soul, and he lost interest in wealth, family, and worldly pleasures. He decided to renounce the world and become a monk. He informed Sunanda of his decision, which deeply shocked her. She tried to persuade him to stay, emphasizing their impending child and the joy of raising them together. However, Dhiragiri was resolute. He made provisions for his family's financial security. Sunanda, being the daughter of a virtuous merchant Dhanpal and having a deep understanding of dharma, accepted Dhiragiri's decision, comforting herself that she was married to a virtuous man.

Soon after, Sunanda gave birth to a charming and beloved son. The celebrations were joyous, but their happiness was short-lived. During a visit from neighbors, the women discussed Dhiragiri's renunciation, mentioning how the son's birth celebration would have been grander if he hadn't become a monk. The young child, though small, was intrigued by the word "renunciation" (diksha). He suddenly remembered his past life and realized he was on the right spiritual path. He resolved to use his human life for the liberation of his soul and decided to become a monk like his father. He also understood that his mother would not easily permit him to leave as he was her sole focus. He contemplated how to gain her consent.

He devised a plan: if his mother wouldn't agree wholeheartedly, he would create a situation that would make her weary of him and let him go. As a baby in his cradle, he thought, "If I cry incessantly, she will get tired of me and try to get rid of me." He immediately put his plan into action and began to cry loudly. His mother tried to soothe him, but he wouldn't stop. All her efforts failed, and even the physician's medicine had no effect. The baby's strategy worked. Even the neighbors, who loved the child, became tired of his constant crying. Sunanda was at a loss. When the child was six months old, monk Dhiragiri (the father) and Acharya Singhagiri returned to Tumbivan. Sunanda, upon hearing of their arrival, decided to give her son to his father.

According to the daily routine, Dhiragiri Muni sought his acharya's permission for alms. Acharya Singhagiri told him, "Dhiragiri, today accept even if someone gives you something alive." The acharya possessed immense foresight and knew what Dhiragiri would bring back. While going for alms to different houses, Dhiragiri reached Sunanda's house and stood there, saying "Dharmalabh" (May you receive the benefit of dharma). Sunanda recognized the voice and welcomed Muni Dhiragiri, expressing her joy and inviting him for alms.

The young boy also heard Muni Dhiragiri's "Dharmalabh." He thought this was the perfect moment for his plan and started crying loudly again. The sound of his crying distressed his mother. She told the monk, "You are fortunate to pursue the liberation of your soul, but I am tired of this son of yours. He does nothing but cry and doesn't let me rest. I am very unhappy. Please accept him, so there can be peace in the house." Hearing these words, the boy was inwardly delighted, hoping the monk would accept his mother's offer. He remembered his guru's words from when he had sought permission for alms. Now he understood the guru's intention. He said to Sunanda, "Sunanda, if you truly wish to give me this child, I will accept him, but think carefully. Once you give him to me, you cannot get him back. You will have no claim over him." Hearing this, the child started crying loudly again. Sunanda exclaimed, "I don't want to hear his crying anymore. I am very tired of him. I don't want him around me. Take him happily."

She picked up the child and placed him in the monk's alms bowl. As soon as the child fell into the monk's bowl, he stopped crying and started laughing. Sunanda was astonished and kept looking at the child, but she had decided to give him away. The monk took the child to the upasraya (where monks reside). Acharya Singhagiri saw that Muni Dhiragiri had brought something weighty, and thus named the child "Vajrakumar."

Acharya Singhagiri entrusted Vajrakumar's care to a devout Jain householder (shravak), ensuring he would be taught the principles of Jainism, allowing his potential to become an acharya to develop. The shravak took Vajrakumar home and handed him over to his wife, explaining the acharya's wish. She was also very religious and happily accepted the acharya's command. The child became so dear to her that she never let him go anywhere alone. Every day, she would take him to the upasraya to pay respects to the female ascetics (sadhvijis). Despite his young age, he memorized all the sutras spoken by the sadhvijis. By the time he was three years old, he had learned all eleven Angas of the Agamas. He was very polite and sharp.

One day, Sunanda's friend visited her and said, "Your son, who used to cry all day, now spends most of his time in our upasraya. I have never seen him cry. He is a very dear and loving boy." Initially, Sunanda didn't take her friend's words seriously, but as Vajrakumar's mother, she longed to see her son again. She started thinking, "What a terrible mistake I made! Why did I give my beloved son to the monk? He is my child, after all. I must get him back."

A few days later, Acharya Singhagiri and Dhiragiri returned to Tumbivan. Sunanda went to the upasraya and met Dhiragiri, saying, "Please kindly return my son. I cannot live without him." Muni Dhiragiri replied, "I told you at that time that once you give him, you cannot get him back. Remember? You said you didn't want him under any circumstances. Once we take something, we cannot return it."

Sunanda said, "I don't know why I did that! I cannot live without my son; please find a way for me to get him back." Acharya Singhagiri and Muni Dhiragiri tried their best to explain, but she was determined to get her son back.

Finally, she went to the king and pleaded, "Please help me get my son back. My husband has become a monk, and I am alone. He is my only child. Tell them to give my son back to me." The king listened to Sunanda's entire story. He said, "Let me find out what has happened. I will inform you shortly." The king investigated the situation and learned that Sunanda had voluntarily given her child away because he was crying constantly, and she was tired of him. He then told Sunanda, "Sunanda, when Muni Dhiragiri came to your house for alms, you gave the child away of your own free will because you were tired of your child. Once something is given, it cannot be taken back."

Sunanda protested, "Oh King, that's not how it is. He is my own flesh and blood, and he is my only hope. Do something and get my child back for me. I cannot live without him." The king understood the maternal love and devotion in her voice. He was also perplexed. Finally, he told Sunanda, "I will summon you and Muni Dhiragiri to the court. Vajrakumar will decide with whom he wants to stay. Is that agreeable?" Sunanda replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The next day, the court was packed with people eager to know the child's fate. Sunanda arrived with toys, sweets, and various other items to entice Vajrakumar. The king and his ministers were also present. Muni Dhiragiri arrived with other monks. Everyone in the court, including the king, bowed to the monks. Vajrakumar also arrived. The king addressed Vajrakumar, "Vajrakumar, you are very young, but very intelligent." Pointing to his mother, he said, "That is your mother. She is very affectionate and loving. She has many toys, sweets, and beautiful clothes for you. She wishes to take you back with her." Then, pointing to Monk Dhiragiri, he said, "There is a monk who has renounced the world. He has controlled all his desires and renounced worldly pleasures. He is virtuous and worthy of reverence. He also wishes to keep you with him and train you in spiritual life. Now you have to decide whether you want to go with your mother or with the monk?" The silence was so profound that a pin drop could be heard. Everyone was eager to hear Vajrakumar's decision. He stood up and began to walk. He glanced at his mother and then at Muni Dhiragiri. Sunanda called out loudly, "Son, come here. Look, I have brought toys, sweets, new clothes for you. Please come to me." Meanwhile, Muni Dhiragiri had nothing but an "ogha" (a tool used to protect creatures on the path while walking). He showed it to him. Vajrakumar took the ogha, smiled, and began to dance with it. He decided to sit with Muni Dhiragiri. With a joyful face, he looked around. Everyone present in the court, including the king and Sunanda, was astonished to see the child's choice of a life of renunciation over a life of worldly pleasures. Sunanda accepted Vajrakumar's decision and blessed him with success. She celebrated Vajrakumar's initiation ceremony with joy and enthusiasm. Later, Vajrakumar became a great acharya.

The story concludes by emphasizing that a person's soul has the power to hold strong spiritual values and faith at any age. Vajrakumar's story teaches that age is not a barrier to learning the higher values and importance of dharma.