Yuvayogi Jambukumar Diwakar Chitrakatha 015 - Book Summary

This document is a Jain comic book, Yuvayogi Jambukumar Diwakar Chitrakatha 015, published by Diwakar Prakashan and authored by Rajendramuni and Shreechand Surana. It is intended for private and personal use only.

The comic book tells the story of Yuvayogi Jambukumar, a prominent figure in Jain history known for his renunciation and spiritual path.

Here's a summary of the content provided:

Introduction to Yuvayogi Jambukumar:

The introduction highlights the natural human tendency towards worldly pleasures. However, it contrasts this with rare individuals who, even when faced with comforts, recognize them as sources of suffering.
Jambukumar is presented as such a remarkable ascetic who, at the young age of sixteen, renounced immense wealth, parental love, and his marriage to eight beautiful new brides to embrace the arduous path of self-control and renunciation.
His determination, sacrifice, and detachment are described as an ideal in Jain history and possibly unparalleled in religious literature globally.
Jambukumar's renunciation stemmed from an inner awakening rather than external preaching, lending his words immense power. Even his newlywed wives and the notorious bandit Prabhav were moved by his conviction. This significant event occurred approximately 470 years before the present, in the first year after Lord Mahavir's nirvana.
The comic book promises engaging dialogues and short, instructive stories within the narrative.

Jambukumar's Birth and Prophecy:

The story begins by introducing Rishabdatta, a wealthy and respected merchant in Rajagriha, and his virtuous wife Dharinidevi. Despite their immense wealth, their home felt empty without a child.
Rishabdatta expresses his concern to Dharinidevi, attributing their childlessness to a lack of past merits. Dharinidevi, however, comforts him, urging him not to worry about what they lack.
Their friend, the astrologer Jasmitta, enters and, noticing Dharinidevi's sadness, offers to use his astrological knowledge to predict when her wish for a child will be fulfilled.
Jasmitta casts a horoscope and joyfully predicts that she will soon bear a son whose fame will spread throughout Bharatkhand (India) and whose glory will echo for thousands of years.
He further advises Dharinidevi to look for a specific dream: seeing a lion with white hair.
Later, Dharinidevi sees a beautiful dream of a white-haired lion entering her mouth.
The next day, she sees another dream of a lush green Jambu tree with large fruits descending from the sky and entering her mouth.
Upon hearing these dreams, Jasmitta interprets them, stating that her son will be as brave as a lion and an unparalleled personality of his time, with his fame spreading across the Jambu continent.
Dharinidevi shares the good news with her elderly mother-in-law, who considers the Jambu tree dream very rare and auspicious. The mother-in-law emphasizes the importance of the mother's conduct and thoughts on the child's character.

Jambukumar's Upbringing and Marriage:

Dharinidevi gives birth to a radiant son, named Jambukumar, after the Jambu tree dream.
Rishabdatta celebrates the birth with a grand feast and charity.
Jambukumar, from childhood, is sharp-witted, interested in sports, music, and arts, alongside his studies. He receives education in various arts from a teacher.
After completing his education, the teacher presents Jambukumar to Rishabdatta, stating that he has mastered 72 arts in just 8 years.
Wealthy merchants begin proposing marriage alliances for Jambukumar. Rishabdatta shows the portraits of eight beautiful girls to Dharinidevi, who approves of them.
Rishabdatta jokingly asks if he should bring sixty brides, but Jambukumar, being very obedient, accepts his mother's choice of eight.

Jambukumar's Encounter with a Falling Rock and Renunciation:

Jambukumar touches his mother's feet, and she asks where he has been. He replies that he was listening to the sermon of Ary Sudharma Swami.
On his way back, a large stone from above the city gate fell onto his chariot, but he miraculously escaped unharmed, with only minor damage to the chariot.
Dharinidevi is shaken by the news and expresses her relief that he is safe.
Jambukumar reveals that this incident prompted him to return to Ary Sudharma Swami. He declares his decision to take a vow of lifelong celibacy.
Dharinidevi is devastated by this news, fainting. After regaining consciousness, she cries, feeling her desires dashed.
Seeing his mother's distress, Jambukumar reconsiders his decision, prioritizing his parents' happiness. He assures his mother that he will do as she wishes.
Dharinidevi asks him to marry and show her daughters-in-law, and then he can do as he pleases. Jambukumar agrees to marry but reiterates his intention to take diksha (initiation into asceticism) afterward.

The Marriage and the Conversation with the Wives:

Jambukumar's sister, Samudrashri, remarks that her brother is not easily swayed and that her parents should think carefully. The other potential brides also express similar sentiments to their parents.
The betrothal ceremony for the eight daughters takes place.
Rishabdatta builds a magnificent seven-storied palace for Jambukumar and his brides.
The palace is filled with music, fragrances, and the captivating presence of the young brides, creating an alluring atmosphere.
Jambukumar and his eight wives gather in a grand chamber. Jambukumar states that this is the most important night of their lives.
The wives agree, emphasizing the significance of the wedding night for a woman.
Jambukumar, calm and serene, then declares that this night is also about breaking the bonds of affection and trust, as the next morning marks his spiritual awakening. He reveals his decision to take diksha from Ary Sudharma Swami.

The Wives' Arguments and Jambukumar's Response:

The wives express sadness and ask why he is renouncing such pleasures. Pannashri asks how he knows the consequences of pleasures without experiencing them.
Jambukumar explains that worldly pleasures are like honey on a sharp knife. An ignorant child licks it, gets cut, and cries. A wise person knows the outcome without tasting it and avoids the mistake. He applies this to his understanding of worldly pleasures, which he believes lead to suffering and downfall.
Pannashri tells a story of a monkey who, by trying to become a god from a magical pond, lost his human form and ended up as a trained monkey, regretting his greed. She warns Jambukumar not to regret his decision like the monkey.
Jambukumar smiles and tells the story of Angarakarak (coal maker). The coal maker, despite drinking from various water sources in a dream, remains thirsty. He then tries to drink mud from a well but finds it futile. Jambukumar uses this to illustrate that if one's thirst isn't quenched by worldly pleasures, it won't be quenched by even greater ones. He argues that the soul, having enjoyed celestial pleasures in past lives, cannot be satisfied by fleeting human pleasures.
Through these stories and arguments, the wives' attachment to worldly pleasures dissolves. They accept Jambukumar's wisdom and decide to take diksha with him.

The Robbery by Prabhav and Jambukumar's Non-Violence:

The narrative shifts to Prabhav, a notorious bandit terrorizing Magadh. His spies inform him about Jambukumar's wedding and the anticipated dowry.
Prabhav plans a raid on Rishabdatta's house. Under the cover of darkness, Prabhav and his 500 thieves attack. Prabhav uses a sleeping spell (Avashvapini Vidya) to make everyone, including guards, fall asleep. He then uses a key-opening spell (Talodghatini Vidya) to open all the locks.
The thieves begin packing the dowry. Jambukumar, witnessing this from a window, calls out to the thieves to stop.
His command freezes the thieves in their tracks as their limbs stick to the ground due to his Stambhani Vidya (paralyzing spell).
Prabhav, astonished that his magic didn't work on Jambukumar, climbs up to confront him. Seeing Jambukumar's radiant face, Prabhav is humbled and offers friendship, proposing an exchange of knowledge.
Jambukumar states he knows no such arts and has no need for them, considering wealth like dirt.
Prabhav is amused, questioning how Jambukumar can dismiss wealth, which people cherish more than life.
Jambukumar explains the difference in their understanding: Prabhav, a prince, commits theft for wealth, while he, Jambukumar, will renounce wealth to become a monk the next morning.
Prabhav's heart is touched. He acknowledges that greed for wealth has turned him from a prince into a thief, living a life of hiding. He decides to renounce wealth and become a monk with Jambukumar.
Jambukumar calls Prabhav blessed for his change of heart and asks him to convince his companions.
Prabhav's companions are freed by Jambukumar. Prabhav tells them that wealth has made them thieves and murderers and that he will no longer steal. He announces his decision to become a monk, and his followers agree to join him.

The Departure and Diksha:

Jambukumar returns to his wives and has further conversations.
He then goes to his parents to inform them of his decision. His mother expresses her concern, but he assures her that his eight brides will also join him.
News of the young couple's renunciation spreads throughout Rajagriha, inspiring others to reflect on their lives.
King Kunika of Magadh visits Rishabdatta's house, commending Jambukumar's detachment. He offers his support.
Prabhav arrives with his 500 followers, ready for initiation. King Kunika is surprised to see Prabhav, the notorious bandit.
Jambukumar explains Prabhav's transformation and his intention to join them. King Kunika forgives Prabhav's past offenses.
A public procession celebrates Jambukumar's renunciation, with King Kunika and even a celestial being participating.
Jambukumar, along with 526 others (including his eight wives, their parents, Prabhav and his followers), takes initiation from Ary Sudharma Swami at the Gunasheel Garden.

Concluding Notes (Special Information):

The text provides biographical details about Jambukumar's previous life as a celestial being, his birth sixteen years before Lord Mahavir's nirvana, and his eventual diksha at sixteen years of age shortly after Mahavir's nirvana.
It lists the names of Jambukumar's eight wives and their parents, as well as the names of his parents.
The total number of individuals initiating with Jambukumar is 527.
It mentions that the Digambara tradition refers to Prabhav as "Vidhuchor."
It outlines the timeline of Ary Jambukumar's life: birth 16 years before Mahavir's nirvana, diksha in the first year after Mahavir's nirvana, achieving the position of Acharya after the 20th year, attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after Ary Sudharma's nirvana, and his own nirvana 64 years after Mahavir's nirvana (462 BCE) at the age of 80.
His nirvana marked the cessation of ten specific spiritual powers.

The latter pages of the document include subscription forms for the comic series, information about other publications by Diwakar Prakashan, and a story titled "Intelligence's Miracle" (Budhhi ka Chamatkar) about the cleverness of a man in proving his ownership of a woolen blanket.