The First King and the First Ascetic: A Poetic Retelling of Acharya Mahapragya’s Rishabhayan

Readings and discussion around the recently published translation of Acharya Mahapragya’s book of verses by Sudhamahi Reghunathan (New Delhi 2014: Harper Element, HarperCollins)

Introduction to the book by Sudhamahi Reghunathan, author and translator

Readings in English and Hindi by Smt Shailaja Chandra, former Chief Secretary Delhi; and Samani Charitrapragya, Vice-Chancellor, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute (Deemed University)

Chair: Prof. G.C. Tripathy, Director, Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology

Rishabhayan – The Story of the First King is about the first king in a society of beginning-less time, according to Jaina mythology. It tells of the evolution of human civilisation as it grew from a society based on need to one attached to material possessions. The epic depicts the search for truth and the role of renunciation and sacrifice