Adistava

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Adistava" by Pradyumnasuri, based on the provided pages:

Overview of "Adistava"

"Adistava" (also referred to as "Te Dhanna Sto" or "The Blessed Ones Who Saw") is a devotional hymn composed in the Prakrit language by Acharya Pradyumnasuri. The text is praised for its emotional depth and poetic beauty, predominantly written in the Arya meter. It focuses on narrating significant events and aspects of the life of Bhagavan Rishabhdev (Adinath), the first Tirthankara.

Key Themes and Content:

The central theme of "Adistava" revolves around the concept of "Te dhanna jehi distho si" (Blessed are those who have seen You). Each stanza highlights a particular event or characteristic of Bhagavan Rishabhdev, followed by this declaration, emphasizing the immense merit and good fortune of those who witnessed these moments.

The hymn can be seen as a "picture gallery" of the important episodes from Bhagavan Rishabhdev's life, with each verse offering a glimpse into these significant moments. The author expresses that witnessing these events makes one truly blessed.

Specific Events and Descriptions Mentioned:

• Divine Birth and Coronation (Gatha 1 & 2): The hymn begins by describing the divine birth of Bhagavan Rishabhdev and his auspicious bathing with golden pitchers by celestial beings (Trishastha Devendra). It also mentions his marriage to queens Sumangala and Sunanda, highlighting his adorned state.
• Coronation Ceremony (Gatha 3): The text refers to his coronation ceremony in the city of Vinitā, where he was bathed by celestial beings.
• Renunciation and Austerity (Gatha 4 & 6): It recounts the significant event of his renunciation after performing acts of charity, leaving his kingdom, and embarking on a spiritual path. The hymn also mentions his practice of severe austerities, including observing fasts for extended periods, for a thousand years.
• Ascending to the Siddharthavana Forest (Gatha 5): The hymn depicts Bhagavan Rishabhdev, seated in the Simhasan Vimana (celestial chariot), arriving at the Siddharthavana forest for his initiation.
• Radiant Aura and Impact on Nature (Gatha 7): This gatha is particularly praised for its emotional impact. It describes Bhagavan Rishabhdev's golden-hued body radiating a divine glow that illuminated the forest. The deer families that witnessed him wandering in the forest are deemed fortunate for experiencing this sight.
• Devotion and Attainment of Siddhi (Gatha 8): It mentions kings bowing to him and reaching great spiritual prosperity by clinging to his lotus-like feet.
• Acts of Charity and Austerity (Gatha 9 & 10): The hymn refers to his first alms-giving after initiation and his continued wandering, as well as the immense generosity (vast wealth) offered by divine kings.
• Intense Austerities (Gatha 11 & 12): The text highlights his rigorous penance, including fasting for half a month, a month, and two months, and his steadfast meditation with a calm mind and unmoving body.
• Attaining Omniscience (Gatha 13 & 14): It recounts the significant event of him attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience) under the Nyagrodha tree in the city of Purimatala. The image of his feet being placed on a lotus while teaching the expanse of lotus-like beings is also described.
• Dispensing Dharma (Gatha 15 & 16): The hymn depicts Bhagavan Rishabhdev seated on a golden pedestal, surrounded by celestial beings, expounding the Dharma (righteous path). It further emphasizes that those who worshipped him at that time are indeed blessed, as he is worshipped by all three worlds during his Kevala Jnana.
• The Futility of Life Without Vision (Gatha 17): This stanza powerfully conveys that those who have not seen Bhagavan Rishabhdev have a wasted human life, in contrast to those who have seen him and are blessed.
• Dispelling Ignorance (Gatha 18): The hymn describes Bhagavan Rishabhdev as a light that opens the eyes of those blinded by the darkness of delusion in the entire universe.
• Liberation (Gatha 19): It mentions his attainment of liberation along with ten thousand followers on Mount Ashtapad, after observing fourteen types of vows (Bhakshana).
• Concluding Admonition (Gatha 20): The final gatha offers a concluding prayer, asking to remember Bhagavan Rishabhdev during the auspicious times of his conception, birth, renunciation, omniscience, and nirvana. It also encourages devotion and seeking spiritual awakening in the Jinashasana (teachings of the Jinas).

Textual Notes and Scholarly Observations:

The accompanying notes provide valuable insights into the text:

• Meter and Structure: The "Adistava" is primarily composed in the Arya meter, with the exception of the final gatha.
• "Te Dhanna" Phrase: The phrase "Te dhanna jehi distho si" appears as the fourth line in 17 out of 20 gathas, with slight variations in three gathas.
• Ambiguity in the Last Gatha: There's a note of uncertainty regarding the last gatha (Gatha 20). It is in the Arya meter but contains an additional phrase "dada muḍha ayāṇeṇa bhāttīe" between two halves. This suggests that a complete gatha might be missing, and the current Gatha 20 might be a combination of the latter half of one gatha and the beginning of another. The editor suggests the need for further research and comparison with other manuscripts to resolve this ambiguity.
• Manuscript Source: The "Adistava" is found in a manuscript within the Bhandar (library) of the Upashraya (monastery) at Pagathia. It is a small, two-page manuscript containing several other compositions.
• Title and Attribution: The title "Adistavah" is found at the end of the text, confirming its identity.

Overall Significance:

"Adistava" is a highly devotional and poetic work that celebrates the life and teachings of Bhagavan Rishabhdev. It serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual merit attained by those who have devotion and seek to understand the path laid out by the Tirthankaras, particularly the first one, Bhagavan Rishabhdev. The hymn's evocative descriptions and consistent theme of "blessedness" create a deeply moving devotional experience for the reader.