Ajitshanti Stotram

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Ajitshanti Stotram" by Shilchandrasuri, based on the catalog link and the Gujarati introduction:

Book Title: Ajitshanti Stotram (श्री अजितशान्ति स्तोत्रम्) Author: Shilchandrasuri (शी. [Shilchandrasuri]) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan (अनुसन्धान-५५) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229326/1

Overall Introduction:

The "Ajitshanti Stotram" is a highly popular and widely accepted devotional poem within the Jain tradition. It praises two Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers who established Jainism): Ajitnath, the second Tirthankara, and Shantinath, the sixteenth Tirthankara. The original work is in the Prakrit language and composed in various lyrical meters, totaling 40 verses (gathas).

The text presented here is a parody or emulation of the original Ajitshanti Stotram, created by the poet Lavanyavijay (श्री लावण्यविजयकृत). While acknowledging that this version might not match the poetic brilliance and creative power of the original, the introduction highlights the exceptional skill of the author in composing such a work in the same meters, finding it to be beyond imagination for the common reader.

Subject Matter:

The primary subject of the stotra is the praise and description of the virtues of Tirthankaras Ajitnath and Shantinath.

Author and Dating:

• Author: While the author, Lavanyavijay, does not explicitly mention his name in the body of the work, the word "Lavanna" appearing in all four lines of the 40th gatha is understood to indicate his name.
• Guru: His guru is identified as Shri Meruvijayji (श्रीमेरुविजयजी), clearly indicated in the first and the 39th-39th (likely a typo and meant to be 39th and possibly another) gathas.
• Time Period: The author's time period is possibly the 18th century. No further specific details about the author could be obtained.

Source and Editing:

The present edition is based on a two-page copy provided by Munishri Dhurandharvijayji. Although some parts of the writing are fragmented, the majority of the manuscript is otherwise pure, suggesting it might be the author's own handwriting.

Content of the Stotram (Verse-by-Verse Summary of Key Themes):

The stotra is composed in various meters, as indicated by the names following the verse numbers (e.g., गाहा - Gaha, सिलोग - Silog, मागहिआ - Magahiya, etc.).

• Verse 1 (गाहा): An invocation to the lotus-like feet of Shri Ajit and Shanti, who are honored by the gods, and in whom desired happiness resides.
• Verse 2 (गाहा): A general salutation to the great Jinavaras (victorious ones, i.e., Tirthankaras), who are respected by kings and adorned with jewels of virtues, resembling the mountain Rohana.
• Verse 3 (सिलोग): Praises the Tirthankaras as those who have made the world full of auspiciousness, are visible to the world, and have made the world pure.
• Verse 4 (सिलोग): Salutes the Tirthankaras as dispellers of the cycle of birth and death, cause of awakening for the wise, and conquerors of destruction.
• Verse 5 (मागहिआ): Describes Ajitnath as the conqueror of desire and Shantinath as the steadfast one. It states that people collectively praise their virtues.
• Verse 6 (आलिंगणयं): Invokes Ajit, the conqueror of the net of delusion, like a flame that consumes impurities. It also recalls Shantinath, the abode of virtues, and the protectors of those who have conquered.
• Verse 7 (मागहिआ): A more complex verse praising the Tirthankaras for their ability to control desires, their nectar-like speech that dispels infatuation, their ability to pacify all beings, and their power to capture the minds of people.
• Verse 8 (संगययं): Implores Shantinath, who is praised by virtuous beings and celestial beings, to grant the kingdom of Nirvana, free from flaws.
• Verse 9 (सोवाणयं): Praises Ajit Tirthnath and Shanti Tirthnath, who are adorned with auspiciousness, fame, knowledge, and who bring joy to gods, humans, and semi-divine beings. The verse also speaks of their immense fame.
• Verse 10 (वेढो): Invokes Ajit and Shanti, the rulers of all six types of living beings, to quickly remove sins and suffering.
• Verse 11 (रासालुद्धो): Describes Ajit as the one who conquered all enemies and is supreme, and Shantinath as the son of Hastinapur's king, Vishvasena. It also praises those who serve them with humility.
• Verse 12 (वेढो): Mentions Ajit, the son of Vijaya, and Shanti, the vanquisher of enemies, and states that they are meditated upon in the mind.
• Verse 13 (रासानंदिअं): States that those who understand the teachings of Ajit and Shanti will never be unhappy, while those who do not follow them will suffer greatly and go to hell.
• Verse 14 (चित्तलेहा): A prayer seeking the refuge of Ajit and Shanti, who are surrounded by devotion, whose fame is spread, and who are the ultimate goal.
• Verse 15: Praises Ajit and Shanti as guides to all happiness and destroyers of darkness and ignorance.
• Verse 16 (कुसुमलया): Asks the Tirthankaras to destroy the speaker's sins and arrogance.
• Verse 17 (भुअगपरिरिंगिअं): Repeatedly praises "Ajitavati" (likely a form of Ajitnath) and "Jayajayanti" (likely related to Shantinath, or a general praise of victory).
• Verse 18 (खिज्जिअयं): Praises Shantinath, the light of the Tirthas, who is the companion of victory and the destroyer of attachment.
• Verse 19 (ललिअयं): Praises Ajit and Shanti, who are worshipped by celestial beauties, whose charm surpasses lotuses, and who are worshipped by four types of beings.
• Verse 20 (किसलयमाला): Describes Ajit as having eyes that conquer lotuses, a destroyer of delusion, a delight for those who have conquered pride, and one who bestows Siddhis (spiritual powers).
• Verse 21 (सुमुहं): An emphatic repetition of "Aham Aham Aham," signifying intense devotion.
• Verse 22 (विज्जुविलसिअं): Describes lay followers (Shravakas and Shravikas) who are pure in their intentions and constantly worship the feet of Ajit and Shanti, thus not falling into the well of worldly suffering.
• Verse 23 (वेढो): A long verse describing the Tirthankaras as beautiful, pure, the destroyers of attachment, sorrow, and delusion, and possessing divine bodies.
• Verse 24 (रयणमाला): Declares Ajit and Shanti as the supreme lords and the bestowers of happiness, whose words conquer darkness, and who are characterized by charity, austerity, and virtuous conduct.
• Verse 25 (खित्तयं): Describes them as auspicious, like clouds that bring benefits, the destroyers of all obstacles and afflictions, and the guides on the path to heaven and liberation.
• Verse 26 (खित्तयं): Describes them as the dispellers of pride and ignorance, the destroyers of disease and sorrow, and the foremost among those who exhibit knowledge.
• Verse 27 (दीवयं): Praises them as the origin of nectar-like assemblies, the destroyers of hellish existence, and worshipped by gods, humans, and demons.
• Verse 28 (चित्तक्खरा): A praise in triplet form (Kulaka) to the Tirthankaras, referring to them as the essence of the three worlds, dispellers of worldly suffering, and deserving of ultimate devotion.
• Verse 29 (नाराओ): A short verse with auspicious affirmations.
• Verse 30 (नंदिअयं): A praise in couplet form, praying for the welfare and fulfillment of desires from Ajit and Shanti.
• Verse 31 (भासुरयं): A lengthy and poetic verse, extensively using alliteration and complex wordplay to praise Ajit and Shanti, highlighting their boundless power and glorious presence.
• Verse 32 (नाराओ): Declares that by taking their names, all worldly anxieties and misfortunes are removed.
• Verse 33 (ललिअयं): Praises Ajit and Shanti for their auspiciousness and divine radiance, and states the speaker is serving them with reverence.
• Verse 34 (वाणवासिआ): States that those who have conquered delusion and are guides on the path to spiritual attainment are the Ajit-Shanti Lords, and they are the means to destroy our karmas.
• Verses 35-38 (गाहा): These verses provide a detailed description of the eight types of karmas (Avarna, Darshana-Avarna, Vedaniya, Mohaniya, Ayushya, Nama, Gotra, Antaraya) that bind the soul and cause its suffering in the cycle of rebirth. The speaker, having wandered through this cycle due to these karmas, now seeks refuge in Ajit-Shanti.
• Verse 39 (कलापकम्): Mentions Meruvijay, the wise guru, and concludes the praise of Ajit and Shanti.
• Verse 40 (कलापकम्): This verse, containing the name "Lavanna," is presented as a concluding auspicious garland that brings prosperity and great joy.

Conclusion:

The "Ajitshanti Stotram" by Lavanyavijay is a devotional hymn that pays homage to Tirthankaras Ajitnath and Shantinath. It emphasizes their virtues, their role in guiding souls towards liberation, and the importance of devotion to them. The verses employ various poetic meters and intricate language to express this devotion, with the final verses offering a specific doctrinal teaching about karmas and seeking refuge from their effects.