Arya Shatak

This document is the beginning of a Jain text titled "Arya Shatak" by Mudgalacharya. The provided pages are primarily introductory and devotional, setting the stage for the main work. Here's a comprehensive summary of the content:

Title and Author:

• The book is titled "Arya Shatak".
• The author is identified as Mudgalacharya.

Publisher and Catalog Link:

• The publication information is associated with Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Kobatirth.
• A catalog link is provided: https://jainqq.org/explore/020490/1.
• The text explicitly states, "JAIN EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL FOR PRIVATE AND PERSONAL USE ONLY," indicating the intended audience and distribution.

Devotional Salutations (Page 1):

The initial page is filled with reverential salutations (Namaha) to significant figures in Jainism and Jain spiritual lineage:

• Shri Mahavirswami: The 24th Tirthankara, a central figure in Jainism.
• Shri Gautamswami: The chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, known for his vast knowledge.
• Shri Sudharmaswami: A Ganadhara (chief disciple) of Lord Mahavir.
• Acharya Shrimad Buddhisagarsurishwarebhyo: Reverence to a spiritual leader.
• Acharya Shrimad Kailassagarsurishwarebhyo: Reverence to another spiritual leader, Acharya Kailassagar Suri.
• The Acharya Shri Kailassagar Suri Gyanmandir (Knowledge Center) is mentioned, highlighting its inspirational role.
• Rashtrasant Shrutoddharak Acharyadev Shrimat Padmasagarsurishwarji M. Sa. is also acknowledged as an inspiration.

Introduction to the Work (Pages 2-4):

• Page 2: States "अथ मुद्गलाचार्य रुतार्याशतकप्रारंभः" (Now begins the Arya Shatak composed by Mudgalacharya).
• Page 3: Begins with devotional invocations to Lord Ganesha and Sita-Ramachandra, a common practice in many Indian traditions, even within Jainism, to seek blessings. The text then dives into a philosophical discussion, possibly a commentary on a pre-existing work or a prayer.
• Page 4: Continues the discussion, possibly elaborating on the meaning of certain verses or concepts.

Core Content - Prayers and Philosophical Reflections (Pages 3 onwards):

The subsequent pages are filled with verses that appear to be prayers, philosophical reflections, and pleas directed towards Lord Rama. The themes revolve around:

• Devotion and Surrender: The speaker expresses deep devotion to Rama, stating they will live only for Him and serve no other deity. This includes a strong emphasis on exclusive devotion.
• The Nature of Rama: Rama is described as the indweller of all, the giver of fruits, omnipresent, all-knowing, and the sustainer of the universe.
• The Speaker's Plight: The speaker laments their suffering, describing themselves as poor, afflicted by desires and attachment (like a prisoner in a body), and full of shortcomings.
• Plea for Grace and Liberation: The central theme is a fervent plea to Rama for liberation from suffering, for protection, and for divine grace. The speaker implores Rama to show mercy, relieve their pain, and guide them.
• Philosophical Analogies: Various analogies are used to illustrate points. For example, the speaker compares themselves to a child dependent on its parents, or a beggar seeking alms.
• Critique of Self and Dependence: The speaker often reflects on their own faults, their weakness, and their complete dependence on Rama for their well-being and salvation.
• The Paradox of Divine Actions: The speaker questions why Rama, with all His attributes of mercy and power, appears distant or unresponsive to their suffering.
• Seeking Divine Intervention: The prayers often include requests for Rama to intervene in their worldly existence, protect them from the cycle of birth and death, and grant them spiritual upliftment.
• Emphasis on Rama's Attributes: The verses repeatedly highlight Rama's attributes like compassion, omnipotence, and omniscience as reasons why He should help the speaker.

Detailed Breakdown of Specific Themes and Verses (Illustrative):

• Exclusive Devotion (Page 3-4): "I will live and die only for you, Lord, and will not serve any other deity with favorable actions." This sets a strong tone of complete surrender.
• Rama's Omnipresence (Page 5): The speaker acknowledges Rama sees, hears, and knows everything, everywhere.
• The Nature of True Devotion (Page 6): A distinction is made between the fleeting desires of a supplicant (arthini) and the selfless devotion of a true devotee.
• The Power of Divine Grace (Page 7-8): The speaker pleads to be released from the "prison" of their body and its attachments, wishing for Rama to provide their means of sustenance.
• The Inappropriateness of Divine Indifference (Page 9): The speaker questions why Rama, who sustains the three worlds, appears indifferent to their plight, drawing parallels with how the general is protected by not abandoning the special.
• Divine Mercy towards Children (Page 10): The speaker uses the analogy of a mother who, even after punishing her child, embraces and nourishes it, suggesting Rama should extend similar mercy.
• Pleading with Oaths (Page 11): The speaker appeals to Rama by swearing on their father's (Dasharatha's) name, highlighting the gravity of their plea.
• The Speaker's Suffering and Rama's Compassion (Page 12-13): The speaker details their deep suffering from the "five afflictions" (likely referring to spiritual hindrances) and appeals to Rama as the "ocean of compassion" to alleviate it.
• The Nature of Service (Page 14-16): A discussion arises about whether service is necessary for divine grace. The speaker argues that while worldly rulers demand service, Rama, as a divine being, should offer grace freely, especially to His devoted servants.
• Rama's Greatness and the Speaker's Faults (Page 17-26): The speaker acknowledges their own flaws and misdeeds but implores Rama's compassion, highlighting Rama's power to overcome even the hardest hearts. They question if Rama is busy with other duties or intentionally ignoring them.
• The Power of Divine Names and Remembrance (Page 28-30): The text discusses the efficacy of reciting Rama's name and the difficulty of fully counting one's sins, even for an all-knowing being.
• The Speaker's Unwavering Devotion (Page 30-40): The speaker emphasizes their unwavering devotion to Rama, even when faced with hardship and perceived indifference. They plead for Rama to recognize their plight and provide relief.
• Metaphors of Suffering and Relief (Page 40-53): The speaker uses vivid metaphors like a thirsty person in a desert, a drowning person, or a person afflicted by poison to describe their suffering and their need for Rama's grace.
• Detailed Descriptions of Rama's Form and Attributes (Page 53-78): A significant portion of the text is dedicated to elaborately describing Rama's divine form, His attributes, His companions (Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Bharata, Shatrughna), and His past deeds. These descriptions are highly devotional and poetic, aiming to evoke a sense of adoration and awe.
• Seeking Rama's Presence (Page 76-77): The speaker expresses a desire for Rama's divine presence and for Him to dwell in their heart.
• The Nature of True Wealth and Desire (Page 77-78): The text contrasts worldly desires with the ultimate wealth of divine devotion, urging the mind to focus on Rama.
• Final Prayers and Blessings (Page 78 onwards): The text concludes with prayers for Rama's auspicious presence, a call to meditate on Him, and blessings.

Overall Purpose:

The "Arya Shatak" appears to be a devotional work, likely a poem or a prayer cycle, where the author, Mudgalacharya, expresses profound love, surrender, and a desperate plea for divine intervention and liberation to Lord Rama. It's a deeply personal and philosophical expression of faith within a Jain spiritual context, even while invoking figures from Hindu mythology, reflecting a broader cultural and spiritual landscape. The text is rich in imagery and employs sophisticated language to convey its devotional message.