Agam Deep 19 Nirayavaliyanam Gujarati Anuvaad - Book Summary

This document appears to be a Gujarati translation and commentary of the Jain text "Nirayavaliyanam" (also spelled "Nirayavali"), which is part of the Agamas. Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

Overall Context:

The document is titled "Agam Deep 19 Nirayavaliyanam Gujarati Anuvaad" (Agam Deep 19: Nirayavaliyanam Gujarati Translation). It is part of a larger series called "Agam Deep" published by "Agam Shrut Prakashan." The author is Muni Deepratnasagar. The translation and commentary are in Gujarati, with the title indicating it's the 19th Agam text covered in the series.

Key Content and Structure:

Introduction and Dedication: The initial pages (1-3) contain dedications, invocations to deities, and acknowledgments of supporters and printers. This is standard for religious and philosophical texts.
Table of Contents/Study Program: Page 4 provides a study program ("Adhyayan Anukram") for the "Nirayavaliyanam," listing chapters/sections and their corresponding page numbers. This indicates a structured approach to studying the text.
Sponsorship and Support: Pages 5 and 6 detail the financial contributors ("Arthik Anudata") for the publication of the "Agam Deep" series, specifically mentioning support for different Agam texts. This highlights a community effort in preserving and disseminating Jain scriptures.
List of Publications: Page 7 and 8 showcase a comprehensive list of other publications by the publisher, covering a wide range of Jain literature, commentaries, prayers, and almanacs. This demonstrates the publisher's commitment to Jain education and dissemination.
Agam Series Overview: Pages 8 and 9 provide a detailed list of the 45 Agam Sutras (Siddhanta). This context is crucial as it places "Nirayavaliyanam" within the broader framework of Jain scriptures. It lists the Anga Sutras, Upanga Sutras, Mula Sutras, Cheda Sutras, etc., and shows that "Nirayavaliyanam" is the 19th Upanga Sutra.
The Textual Content (Nirayavaliyanam - Chapter 1): The core of the provided text begins from Page 11 and goes up to Page 25, focusing on the first chapter ("Adhyayan 1") of the "Nirayavaliyanam," titled "Kaali."
- Narrative Structure: The chapter unfolds as a dialogue between Lord Mahavir and his disciple Gautama Swami (and in some instances, Jamboo Swami).
- The Story of Kaali and Kaal Kumara: The narrative centers around the story of Kaali Devi, the mother of Kaal Kumara.
  - Kaal Kumara, the son of King Konika and Kaali Devi, goes to war.
  - Kaali Devi experiences anxiety about her son's fate.
  - She seeks counsel from Lord Mahavir.
  - Lord Mahavir foretells Kaal Kumara's death in battle at the hands of King Chetak.
  - Kaal Kumara is indeed killed in battle.
  - He is reborn as a being in the "fourth hell" (Pankaprabha Narak) for a specific duration due to his past karma.
- The Story of Konika Raja and Chellana Devi: The narrative then shifts to the story of Konika Raja (also referred to as Krunik Raja), his father Shrenik Raja, and his mother Chellana Devi.
  - Chellana Devi experiences a peculiar pregnancy craving ("dohla") – she desires to eat her husband Shrenik Raja's flesh, cooked and fried.
  - This craving is attributed to the actions of the child in her womb (Konika) who has "eaten" Shrenik Raja's flesh in a dream-like state.
  - Shrenik Raja initially struggles to fulfill this craving, causing Chellana Devi distress.
  - His son, Abhay Kumar, devises a plan to fulfill the craving by surgically obtaining and presenting Shrenik Raja's flesh without causing him actual harm.
  - Chellana Devi is satisfied, and the pregnancy continues.
  - Upon birth, the child (Konika) is named "Moorishik" (or "Koorik" based on a later mention) because his finger was pricked by a peacock feather, and Shrenik Raja sucks out the pus and blood, showing immense affection.
- Konika's Rise to Power and Fratricide:
  - Konika, despite being cared for, later feels incapable of ruling due to his father's (Shrenik Raja's) actions.
  - He conspires with ten princes (including Kaala) to overthrow Shrenik Raja.
  - Konika imprisons Shrenik Raja and has himself coronated.
- The Conflict over Sechanaka Elephant and the 18-Stringed Garland:
  - Konika's younger brother, Vihalla Kumara, is gifted a prized elephant named Sechanaka and an 18-stringed garland by Shrenik Raja.
  - Vihalla openly displays his wealth and status, which causes dissatisfaction among the public and his queen, Padmavati.
  - Padmavati complains to Konika, highlighting that Vihalla seems to enjoy the kingdom's fruits more than Konika.
  - Konika demands the elephant and garland from Vihalla.
  - Vihalla, realizing Konika's intentions, flees with his possessions and retinue to Vaishali, seeking refuge with King Chetak.
  - Konika sends emissaries to King Chetak to demand the return of the elephant, garland, and Vihalla.
  - King Chetak refuses, stating that just as Konika is Shrenik's son and his grandson, Vihalla is also Shrenik's son and his grandson. He implies that if Konika shares the kingdom, he might consider returning the items.
  - Konika sends increasingly aggressive emissaries, culminating in a threat of war.
  - King Chetak defiantly prepares for battle.
- The Battle:
  - The text describes the mobilization of armies, with Konika's forces (33,000 elephants, horses, chariots, and 33 crore men) and Chetak's forces (57,000 elephants, horses, chariots, and 57 crore men).
  - The battle commences with traditional formations (Garuda and Shakata formations).
  - The soldiers engage in fierce combat.
  - The narrative reiterates Kaal Kumara's death and rebirth in hell, connecting it back to his earlier actions.
Second Chapter Summary: Page 25 mentions the second chapter, "Sukala," and briefly states that the story of Sukala Kumara, the son of Sukali Devi, is similar to that of Kaal Kumara.
Remaining Chapters: Page 26 notes that the remaining eight chapters (3-10) should be understood similarly, with mothers having names similar to the princes. It also mentions that the Gujarati commentary for chapters 3-60 has been completed by Muni Deepratnasagar.

Key Themes and Concepts:

Karma and Rebirth: The central theme is the law of karma, where actions in this life lead to consequences in future lives, often depicted through rebirth in hellish realms or as humans. Kaal Kumara's story is a prime example.
Moral and Ethical Teachings: The narratives are designed to impart moral lessons about conduct, duty, filial piety, and the consequences of negative actions like greed, anger, and violence.
The Teachings of Lord Mahavir: The text emphasizes the wisdom and omniscience of Lord Mahavir, who accurately predicts events and explains the workings of karma.
Jain Cosmology: The mention of "fourth hell" (Pankaprabha Narak) and the concept of rebirth in different realms are integral to Jain cosmology.
Genealogy and Lineage: The narratives often trace lineage and relationships, as seen with Shrenik Raja, Konika Raja, Chellana Devi, and Vihalla Kumara.
The Importance of Agamas: The entire project is about making the Agamas accessible through translation and commentary, highlighting their significance in Jainism.

In essence, "Agam Deep 19 Nirayavaliyanam Gujarati Anuvaad" is a scholarly and devotional endeavor to present a key Jain scripture in Gujarati, enriched with a detailed narrative commentary that explores the principles of karma, rebirth, and righteous conduct through compelling stories of past lives and royal lineages.