Dearly Beloved
By Leona Smith Kremser
Summary
Leona Smith Kremser’s long narrative poem “Dearly Beloved” celebrates the Jaina tradition by retelling the life of Lord Aristanemi (Neminatha), the twenty‑second Tirthankara. The poem begins with a bow to Lord Aristanemi and a call for all beings to follow in his compassionate footsteps. Kremser describes Jainism as a religion of non‑violence that reveres every living being and teaches that all souls are pure, individual and eternal. The prayerful verses recount the lineage of twenty‑four teachers who revived the eternal Jaina religion and remind readers that Jainism has no single founder but is an eternal truth revealed in different ages. Kremser situates the story in the Yadava era, ca. 1500 B.C., and recounts the auspicious dreams of Queen Sivadevi, whose fourteen visions of elephants, lions, moon and lotus foreshadow the birth of the lord. A flying ascetic prophesies that her son will revive the peaceable religion that shelters all living things. She describes the boy prince as a Yadava by birth and recounts his renunciation of royal life after he witnesses animals being slaughtered for his wedding feast. In a pivotal episode, Aristanemi hears the cries of goats, cows and buffalo destined for sacrifice and, horrified by their suffering, unlocks the cages and lets the animals go free. This act of compassion leads him to abandon worldly attachments and take the vows of a Jina. The poem recounts his ensuing austerities, meditations and eventual liberation, celebrating his example of self‑restraint and kindness toward all creatures. Interwoven with the narrative are reflections on karmic retribution and reincarnation, the belief that good and bad deeds inevitably bear fruit over successive births. Kremser emphasises that Jainism teaches the equality of all souls and urges readers to reject violence not only because of its impact on victims but because cruelty erodes the moral character of the perpetrator. By blending mythic storytelling with didactic reflections, the poem conveys the beauty of Jaina ideals and invites devotees to emulate the lord’s compassion and non‑attachment.
Conclusion
Kremser’s poetic homage to Lord Aristanemi uses vivid imagery and lyrical narrative to convey core Jaina values. By focusing on the prince’s compassion for animals and his renunciation of worldly power, the poem illustrates how non‑violence and asceticism can transform both the individual and society. The repeated emphasis on the eternal nature of the soul and the law of karma reinforces the idea that ethical actions have far‑reaching consequences. Ultimately, the poem argues that following the Lord’s example of kindness and restraint offers a path to spiritual liberation and sets a moral standard that benefits all living beings.