Vasudev Chupai

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vasudev Chupai" by Rasila Kadia, based on the provided pages:

Overview and Context:

"Vasudev Chupai" is a Jain literary work that chronicles the life and deeds of Vasudev, a significant figure in the Harivamsa lineage, ultimately leading to the events surrounding Krishna and Balarama. The text is presented as a "Chupai," a form of narrative poetry. This specific manuscript was found in the manuscript library of Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir and is based on a text from a collection of manuscripts, specifically pages 51 to 60. The work is notable for its inclusion of a "Prashasti" and "Pushpika," which provide information about the author, guru lineage, and the date of composition, making it a valuable historical and literary document. The manuscript also indicates the scribe's name, location, and reason for writing.

Author and Dating:

The work was composed by Harshakul, a learned disciple of Sumatisagar, who was a disciple of Laxmisagarsuri, a prominent figure of the Tapagachha in the city of Las. The composition dates to 1557 VS (Vikram Samvat). The text also mentions that Muni Karmsundar, a disciple of Bhattarak Vidyasagar Suri and Laxmitilak Suri, wrote this work for his own sect in Sirohinagar, though he did not provide a date. The composition is noted to be in the "Gudi" musical mode.

Literary Significance and Content:

• Narrative Style: The "Vasudev Chupai" is characterized by its 358 kadi (couplets) and presents a detailed account of Vasudev's life, considered a significant contribution to the existing narratives of his life.
• Inclusion of Authorial Details: The presence of Prashasti and Pushpika, detailing the author's name, guru tradition, and composition date, enhances its value. Similarly, the scribe's details are also recorded.
• Textual Notes: The text acknowledges instances of corrupt or missing words, with conjectures placed in square brackets. One instance of an unreadable word is indicated by a blank space within square brackets. The numbering of couplets has also been noted to have minor errors, with some missing or duplicated numbers, which have been corrected in the manuscript. The tendency to write "छ" as "त्छ" is also observed.
• Relation to Other Texts: The work is mentioned in the revised edition of "Jain Gurjar Kavi," which provides information about "Vasudev Chopai" and "Rasni." The author, Shri Harshakul, is also credited with composing "Bandhhetu Uday Tribhangisutra." The work is also known under the name "Harshakalash." The "Vasudev Charitra" is also found as part of the 8th and 11th chapters of Shri Hemchandracharya's "Shri Trishashthishalakapurushacharitra," where Vasudev's departure from Dwarka and his death are described.

Synopsis of the Narrative:

The story begins in Sauripur, the capital of the Yadavas, ruled by Surray and his queen Surpriya. They have two sons: Andhakvrishni and Bhojakvrishni. Andhakvrishni is the father of ten sons, the youngest being Vasudev. Bhojakvrishni has two sons, Ugrasen and Dev.

The narrative focuses on Vasudev, who is exceptionally beautiful. When King Samudravijay, Vasudev's elder brother, inquires about Vasudev's former lives from a visiting sage, he learns about Vasudev's past.

Vasudev's Past Life:

In his past life, Vasudev was a poor and ugly child named Nandishen. His parents died in childhood, and he lived with his maternal uncle. His uncle had seven daughters, none of whom would marry Nandishen. When the uncle couldn't find a bride for him elsewhere, Nandishen, disheartened, was about to commit suicide when he encountered a gathering of monks. He took a vow to serve the monks and upheld it diligently, even passing a divine test. At the end of his life, he vowed to be born with a captivating form beloved by all women. This past life vow led to Vasudev's handsome appearance in his current life.

Early Life and Events:

• Kansa's Birth: King Ugrasen of Mathura, who was performing a penance, angered the sage by repeatedly refusing him alms. This sage cursed Ugrasen, leading to the birth of Kansa. Queen Dharini, experiencing a craving for meat, gave birth to a son whom she placed in a golden-cased box and cast into the Yamuna River. This child, Kansa, was raised by the merchant Subhadra. However, Kansa's cruel behavior became apparent, and upon learning of his birth story from King Samudravijay, Vasudev lovingly took him in. Dharini's second son was Aimat Kumar.
• Kansa's Marriage and Vasudev's Exile: Jarashandha, the king of Magadha, declared that he would marry his daughter Jeevaysha to anyone who could bring him those who disobeyed his command. Kansa and Vasudev went to fight, and at Samudravijay's suggestion, Kansa's valor was highlighted, and he was married to Jeevaysha instead of Vasudev.
• Vasudev's City Travels and Exile: Vasudev's immense beauty enchanted the women of the city, causing distress to the elders. The king, Samudravijay, ordered Vasudev to remain within the palace, using the excuse of him being weak. However, one day, Vasudev took fragrant perfume from a passing maid, which led to his confinement. Feeling hurt by Samudravijay's explanation for his confinement, Vasudev went out of the city, placed a dummy body in a pyre, wrote a letter, and pretended to commit suicide. Samudravijay mourned his brother's supposed death.

Further Adventures and Key Events:

• Marriages and Jarashandha's Intervention: During his travels, Vasudev married several women, including Kankavati, Rohini, and Devaki. During his wedding to Rohini, Jarashandha and Kansa were present. A battle ensued when Vasudev was chosen, and Samudravijay recognized his brother, rejoiced that Vasudev was alive.
• Kansa's Cruelty and Devaki's Children: Kansa, knowing from a sage that his death would come through Vasudev's son, deceitfully demanded Devaki's seven children as soon as they were born. Kansa had already taken revenge on his father Ugrasen and mother Dharini, imprisoning Ugrasen in a wooden cage.
• Devaki's Children and Krishna's Birth: Six of Devaki's children were exchanged with the stillborn infants of Sulsa in Bhadillapur. Kansa killed these children. The seventh child, by divine intervention, was taken from a sleeping guard and replaced with the newborn daughter of Nandanari. Kansa, believing his death would not come from a woman, cut off her nose and returned her. Devaki, on festival occasions, visited her son in Gokul, where the child named Krishna displayed extraordinary feats from infancy.
• Kansa's Downfall: Kansa, learning that his enemy was still alive through the sage's words, attempted to kill Krishna. At the time of Krishna's birth, Nemicumar was also born to Samudravijay. Krishna and Balarama defeated wrestlers, tamed powerful horses and bulls, and ultimately killed Kansa, freeing Ugrasen from his imprisonment.

Later Events and Endings:

• Jarasandha's Revenge and Dwarka's Construction: Kansa's wife, Jeevaysha, sought revenge from her brother Jarashandha. Krishna married Satyabhama. A prophecy indicated that the Yadavas would go south, and Satyabhama would give birth to twins there. The Dashara clan moved south, pursued by Kalak, Jarashandha's son, through the Vindhya mountain range. With the help of the Yadava clan goddess, Kalak perished in a fire. Satyabhama gave birth to twin sons, and with Dhanada's help, the golden city of Dwarka was built.
• War with Jarashandha and Neminath's Story: Hearing of Dwarka's prosperity, Jarashandha realized the Yadavas were still alive, leading to a fierce battle in which Jarashandha was defeated, with Neminath's assistance.
• Neminath's Renunciation: Nemicumar once blew Krishna's conch in the armory. Krishna tested Neminath's strength, recognizing his detachment. Despite his disinterest in worldly affairs, Neminath agreed to marry Rajul after his wives informed Krishna of his readiness. On his wedding procession, Neminath heard the cries of animals, freed them, and renounced the world, taking initiation. Rajul also followed him after lamenting her loss.
• Destruction of Dwarka and the End of Krishna and Balarama: Krishna's sons, intoxicated with power, caused the destruction of Dwarka and the Yadava lineage. Before Dwarka's fall, Devaki experienced immense maternal love upon seeing her six previously abandoned sons, who had become ascetics. She became the mother of Gajasukumar, who took initiation in youth and attained liberation by destroying karma through his equanimity. As Dwarka was falling, Krishna and Balarama went to the forest. Krishna died from Jara's arrow while Balarama was away fetching water, and Balarama found it difficult to accept his brother's death. Eventually, Balarama also attained liberation through penance.
• Vasudev's Liberation: Vasudev, before the fall of Dwarka, along with his many wives, took a vow of fasting and attained liberation in the heavenly realm.

Key Themes and Literary Devices:

• Karma and Rebirth: The narrative emphasizes the concept of karma and how past actions influence present lives.
• Devotion and Renunciation: The text highlights the importance of devotion, penance, and renunciation in achieving liberation.
• Beauty and its Consequences: Vasudev's exceptional beauty plays a significant role, both attracting admiration and leading to complications and his eventual departure from society.
• Poetic Descriptions: The author's descriptive artistry shines, particularly in the depiction of battles between the Yadavas and Jarashandha. The narrative is enriched with relatable analogies and witty observations.
• Moral Lessons: The text conveys moral lessons through anecdotes, such as the story of Jeevaysha's intoxication and the power of a sage's words. It also emphasizes the virtues of modesty and shila (chastity).

In essence, "Vasudev Chupai" is a rich narrative that intertwines historical accounts, religious teachings, and poetic artistry to present the life of Vasudev and the significant events of the Harivamsa, offering insights into Jain philosophy and its emphasis on karma, devotion, and liberation.