Bhikshu Mahakavyam - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shri Bhikshu Mahakavyam," based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shri Bhikshu Mahakavyam (श्रीभिक्षु महाकाव्यम्) Author: Muni Natthmalji (मुनि नत्थमलजी) Translator: Muni Nagaraj (मुनि नगराज) Editor: Muni Dulahraj (मुनि दुलहराज) Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun (जैन विश्व भारती, लाडनूं)

Overall Nature of the Work:

Shri Bhikshu Mahakavyam is a monumental epic poem composed in Sanskrit, detailing the life and philosophy of Acharya Bhikshu, the founder of the Terapanth sect of Jainism. The work is praised for its adherence to classical epic poetry conventions, its depth of meaning, and its remarkable achievement in Sanskrit composition in the 20th century. The poem is a tribute to Acharya Bhikshu's life, his teachings, his adherence to Jain principles, and his role in establishing the Terapanth tradition.

Inspiration and Genesis:

The Mahakavya was conceived by Acharya Tulsi, who commissioned Muni Natthmalji to compose it in Sanskrit for the Terapanth's bicentennial celebration in Vikram Samvat 2017 (1960 CE). The inspiration was further bolstered by Dr. Vidyadhar Shastri, a Sanskrit scholar, who, after witnessing Muni Natthmalji's poetic prowess, encouraged him to undertake such a grand project. The composition began in Vikram Samvat 2015 (1958 CE) and was completed within six months. It was formally dedicated to Acharya Tulsi during the Terapanth's bicentennial celebration.

Content and Structure:

The epic comprises eighteen cantos (Sargas) and approximately 2600 verses (Shlokas). It meticulously covers the entire span of Acharya Bhikshu's life and the philosophy of Terapanth. The poem is rich in descriptive passages, including detailed accounts of nature, the Aravalli mountain range, historical rulers of Mewar, and the socio-political and religious conditions of the time.

Key Life Events of Acharya Bhikshu Depicted:

Childhood and Foreshadowing: The poem describes Acharya Bhikshu's birth, his physiognomy as indicative of his future life, his childhood tendencies, and his early education and upbringing.
Youth and Renunciation: His entry into youth, his marriage, the influence of his teachings on his wife, his profound detachment, his search for a guru, and his eventual renunciation are all covered.
Spiritual Journey: The text details his initiation into Jainism, his initial philosophical differences, his pursuit of pure conduct based on Arhat's teachings, his intense tapasya (austerities), the gathering of followers, the formation of the Terapanth, and his profound scriptural studies and philosophical contributions.
Philosophical Teachings: The poem encapsulates Terapanth's theoretical and traditional beliefs, presenting them with clarity and precision, creating vivid imagery. It highlights his deep understanding of Jain Agamas and his prolific writing, estimated at approximately 36,000 verses in Rajasthani.
The Terapanth and its Principles: The work explains the genesis of the Terapanth, its theoretical and traditional tenets, and its emphasis on strict adherence to vows, discipline, and righteous conduct.

Literary and Scholarly Aspects:

Sanskrit Composition: The poem is lauded for its scholarly and aesthetic command of the Sanskrit language, employing various meters, intricate wordplay, profound meanings, similes, and figures of speech.
Refinement of Language: It is expected to refine and elevate the linguistic understanding of its readers, with novel word usage and grammatical discussions contributing to knowledge enhancement.
Inspirational Value: The Mahakavya provides an opportunity to understand Acharya Bhikshu's life philosophy through the medium of poetry, making his profound spiritual and philosophical insights accessible.

The First Volume (Cantos 1-10):

The first volume, presented to the readers, covers the initial ten cantos. The summary provided in the text highlights:

First Canto (Sarga 1): Mangalacharana (invocation), self-narration by the poet, description of Marudhar and Jodhpur, its ruler, Kantalia village, Bhikshu's parents, celestial phenomena, night and dawn descriptions, mother Deepa's dream, conception, and protection of the fetus. It also covers the child's birth, astrological positions, mother Deepa's joy and contemplation, birth celebrations, the child's form, visitors' respects, the naming of the child 'Bhikshu,' the significance of his birth month and date, his childhood activities, education, and the inculcation of values. It also includes a detailed description of his physical features and their interpretations.
Second Canto (Sarga 2): Bhikshu's marriage, his wife's beauty, his entry into youth, his business acumen, his father's demise, his assumption of family responsibility, his virtues, his refusal of marriage proposals due to detachment, his marital life, his mother's persuasion, his interaction with Lunka Mehta, the prevailing societal conditions (religious decline, violence, rituals), the journey of accompanying monks, the rainy season, his yearning for a guru, the arrival of monks in Ahmedabad, their contemplation of restoring handwritten manuscripts, Lunka Mehta's involvement, duplication of texts, Lunka Mehta's scriptural knowledge development, public attraction, monks' departure, public rejection of monks, the initiation of 44 individuals by Lunka Mehta, the origin of 'Twenty-two Tolles,' and the establishment of the Lonka Gachchha. It concludes with Acharya Raghunathji taking charge of Jainism and Bhikshu's contact and acceptance of him as guru, and his eventual renunciation of worldly life and his wife's persuasion.
Third Canto (Sarga 3): The strict vows of the couple, the wife's illness and separation, the inevitability of death, Bhikshu's readiness for renunciation, societal and familial pressure for remarriage, Bhikshu's refusal, his self-testing for eligibility for renunciation, his request for mother Deepa's permission, her heart-wrenching plea, Bhikshu's efforts to dissuade her from maternal affection, his four requests to his mother, her surprise at the impossibility of his requests, Bhikshu's further attempts to explain, Acharya Raghunathji's intervention to convince mother Deepa, mother Deepa's narration of her lion dream and its interpretation, Acharya Raghunathji's explanation of the dream's significance, mother Deepa's test of Bhikshu's endurance of hardship, Bhikshu's response, mother Deepa's description of the hardships faced by monks in different seasons, her eventual acceptance of his renunciation, and Bhikshu's departure from Kantalia to Bagdi with joyous expression.
Fourth Canto (Sarga 4): Bhikshu's grand renunciation procession, the jubilant expressions of the citizens, his initiation by Acharya Raghunathji under a banyan tree in Bagdi on Ashwin Krishna Dwadashi of Vikram Samvat 1808, Acharya's feelings upon receiving the disciple, their interactions and teachings, Bhikshu's inquiries, the guru-shishya relationship, his wandering as a Sanghapati and immense fame, his first four Chaturmasas, description of Mewar, description of Bagor, description of the 'vatavriksha' (banyan tree) where Krishnaji and Bharmalji (father-son) were initiated, completion of the fifth and sixth Chaturmasas.

The Role of the Contributors:

Muni Natthmalji (Poet): A senior monk, scholar of ancient languages and philosophies, well-versed in Jain scriptures and Terapanth doctrine, a devotee of Arhat Vani, and a practitioner of pure conduct. He was humble, simple in appearance, and committed to his convictions.
Muni Nagaraj (Translator): A close associate of Muni Natthmalji, who accompanied him in his final years. He was instrumental in translating the Mahakavya into Hindi, ensuring its accessibility.
Muni Dulahraj (Editor): He undertook the meticulous task of editing the translated work, making necessary changes and additions to present it in a polished form for the public. He is credited with bringing this "first part" (first ten cantos) to the readers.

Publisher's Note:

Jain Vishva Bharati expresses its pleasure in publishing this work, highlighting Acharya Bhikshu as a timeless visionary who lived and died for truth, becoming immortal. The Mahakavya is presented as a chronicle of his deeds and his philosophical and spiritual perspective, with the promise of the second part to follow soon.

Key Themes and Values:

Renunciation and Detachment: The poem emphasizes the importance of renunciation from worldly pleasures and attachments for spiritual liberation.
Truth and Integrity: Acharya Bhikshu's unwavering commitment to truth, even in the face of adversity and pressure, is a central theme.
Austerity and Discipline: The Mahakavya portrays the rigorous austerities and strict discipline practiced by Acharya Bhikshu and his followers.
Spiritual Guidance: The role of the Guru and the importance of following his guidance are highlighted, but also the discernment required to follow true Dharma.
The Nature of Reality: The text delves into the ephemeral nature of worldly existence and the pursuit of eternal truth.

This summary, while extensive, captures the essence and significance of the Shri Bhikshu Mahakavyam as a profound literary and spiritual work within the Jain tradition.