STORYTIME
Shruti Jain, Nishi Shah
them fruits and a place to rest. In the morning, the hermit Do you remember sitting in Pathshala eagerly waiting to read extended help to guide them the next Jain story in the book? Or begging your parents or back to the village, but before grandparents to tell you just one more story before bed? Many they left, Vipul and Vijan of us grew up reading and listening to a huge selection of Jain pleaded with the hermit that stories, some of them more personally impactful than others. he tell them their future. The In this 30th Anniversary Special Edition, we wanted to celebrate hermit politely refused, but when the two friends insisted, the most memorable thing YJA has offered to its members: connections. Often, the stories you’re told are impactful because the hermit explained that the predictions aren’t always of how you were told them: with friends in Pathshala, for a accurate and he doesn’t advise play at Mahavir Jayanti, tucked in bed with your siblings, while that people hear about their petting your puppy in your reading nook, or as self-reflection future. Nevertheless, they during Paryushan/Das Lakshan. wanted to hear it. Here, we present a selection of abbreviated Jain stories featurThe prediction: Within a year, ing various types of relationships. Vipul would become a king and Vijan would die at the hands of Nemkumar and Rajmati, although initially an assassin. Rajmati: Humans & Animals upset, understood his choice and followed in his footsteps, In the kingdom of Sauripura, Once they returned home, taking Diksha. Eventually, Prince Nemkumar was the Vipul’s ego rose and he started Nemkumar attained Moksha son of King Samudravijay and to act like he was invincible, and became a Tirthankar. Queen Shivadevi. Princess not caring about his actions Rajmati, the daughter of King towards others. Vijan, on the This story shows that while Ugrasen and Queen Dharini other hand, worked with great animals do not always have of Dvarka, got to know of devotion to be the best version the means to speak for themPrince Nemkumar and wanted of himself. Six months later, selves, it is up to humans to be the two friends decided to visit to marry him. Nemkumar mindful of their actions and agreed, and a grand wedding the site of Vipul’s future palace was planned. However, during reduce harm to other beings and noticed a pot of gold coins. on their account. the procession towards the As Vipul was about to reach for wedding, Nemkumar saw it, an assassin jumped out of Vipul & Vijan: Friends crying animals and birds the bushes ready to attack him. trapped in cages. One night, two friends, Vipul Vijan jumped in front to save and Vijan, got lost in the his friend, and received only a When he asked his charioteer jungle. As the sun was setting, mere cut on his shoulder. Vipul about the animals, he was told they decided to take refuge in didn’t show any gratitude that they were going to be a nearby shelter. Later that and instead offered him half slaughtered for his wedding. night, they spotted a hut in the gold coins, which Vijan Upon hearing this, Nemkuthe distance but approached it declined. mar stopped the procession, with caution. As they peeked wishing to find a way to through the window, they saw A year passed. Neither did prevent this kind of violence a hermit deep in meditation. Vipul become a king nor did on his account. He chose to Vijan die. So they set off to visit leave the wedding, and instead When they told him about the hermit to ask for an explagave away his worldly posses- how they got lost in the forest, nation. The hermit told them sions and started meditating. the hermit graciously offered that their destinies are driven 34
