Bambai Chintamani Parshwanathadi Stavan Pad Sangraha

The book "Bambai Chintamani Parshwanathadi Stavan Pad Sangraha" is a compilation of devotional hymns and verses, primarily focusing on various Jain Tirthankaras, particularly Parshvanatha, and revered Jain spiritual leaders. The collection is attributed to Vachak Amarsindhur, a prominent figure in the Kharatar Gachchha tradition, and was compiled and published by the trustees of the Chintamani Parshwanath Mandir in Bombay.

Here's a breakdown of the book's content and significance based on the provided text:

Core Content:

• Devotional Hymns (Stavans & Pads): The primary content consists of "stavans" (hymns of praise) and "pads" (verses or songs) dedicated to different Tirthankaras like Adinath (Rishabhdev), Neminath, and Parshvanatha. There are specific sections for:

  • Adinath Stavan: Praises for the first Tirthankara.
  • Neminath Padani: Verses dedicated to Neminath, often focusing on his life, renunciation, and relationship with Rajulmati.
  • Gaudipārśvanātha Hori: Devotional songs in the "Hori" style celebrating Gaudipārśvanātha.
  • Chintamani Parshvanatha Stavans: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to hymns in praise of Chintamani Parshvanatha, the presiding deity of the temple where the book was published. These highlight the significance of the temple in Bombay.
  • Jin Stavans: General hymns dedicated to various Jin (Tirthankaras), including "Jaimala" (garlands of praise) and "Jin Vani" (the divine speech of Jinas).
  • Siddhachal Stavan: A hymn dedicated to the holy mountain of Siddhachal (also known as Girnar), commemorating a pilgrimage from Bombay in VS 1860.
  • Jnana Panchami Stavan: Hymns for the festival of Jnana Panchami, emphasizing the importance of knowledge.
  • Dada Guru Gitani: Songs dedicated to prominent Jain spiritual leaders (Gurus) of the Kharatar Gachchha, including Jintattasuri, Jinkushalsuri, and Jinmahendrasuri.
  • Bhairav Gitani: Devotional songs dedicated to Bhairav, a protective deity in Jainism.
  • Pad, Hori Sangraha: A collection of various "pads" and "Hori" songs.
  • Patwa Sangh Tirthmala: A hymn describing a pilgrimage undertaken by the Patwa Sangh (a community group) in VS 1863.
  • Shanti-Parshva Stavan: Hymns dedicated to Shanti Tirthankara and Parshvanatha, though noted as incomplete ("trutit").
  • Jin Kushal Suri Chand: Verses dedicated to Jin Kushal Suri, dated VS 1882.
  • Chakreshwari and Ambika Geet: Songs dedicated to the guardian deities Chakreshwari and Ambika.

• Inscriptions (Pratimalekh): The book includes inscriptions found on the idols within the Chintamani Parshwanath Mandir in Bombay. These inscriptions provide historical details about the temple's construction, the deities installed, the year of installation, and the lineage of gurus and patrons involved. Many of these mention the idols originating from Surat.

Key Figures:

• Vachak Amarsindhur: The primary author of the collected verses. He was a disciple in the lineage of Shri Jin Kushal Suri Ji. The book compiles his various devotional outpourings.
• Agarchand Nahta and Bhanvarlal Nahta: The editors and publishers of this collection, responsible for compiling and presenting these historical devotional works.
• Shri Chintamani Parshwanath Mandir Trustees: The publishers who facilitated the book's release from the temple's funds.
• Various Gurus and Tirthankaras: The book extensively praises Tirthankaras like Adinath, Neminath, Parshvanatha, and spiritual guides from the Kharatar Gachchha tradition.

Thematic Significance:

• Devotion (Bhakti): The collection strongly emphasizes devotion as a path to spiritual upliftment and liberation, aligning with Jain principles where devotion to Tirthankaras and Gurus leads to faith in their teachings.
• Spiritual Awakening (Prabodhan): Many verses are intended to awaken the soul towards spirituality, renunciation, and the pursuit of higher consciousness.
• Glorification of Tirthankaras and Gurus: The hymns aim to praise the virtues, teachings, and divine qualities of the Tirthankaras and the spiritual lineage of Gurus.
• Preservation of Jain Literature: This compilation serves as a valuable repository of devotional literature, preserving the compositions of Vachak Amarsindhur and potentially other poets.
• Historical and Architectural Documentation: The included "pratimalekh" (inscriptions) offer a historical record of the Chintamani Parshwanath Mandir in Bombay, its consecrations, and the community involved.
• Regional and Temporal Context: The verses reflect the devotional practices and the historical context of Jainism in regions like Bombay, Surat, and Rajasthan, spanning roughly from the late 18th to the mid-19th century (based on the dates mentioned like VS 1840, 1860, 1862, 1863, 1873, 1876, 1888).

Compilation and Publication:

• The book was compiled from a manuscript (likely a "gutka" or collection) written by Vachak Amarsindhur himself for his disciples.
• The editors, the Nahta brothers, faced challenges with incomplete manuscripts, resulting in some verses being presented in a fragmented form. They acknowledge missing sections and encourage anyone with complete copies to contact them.
• The publication was supported by the trustees of the Chintamani Parshwanath Mandir, Bombay, highlighting the temple's commitment to preserving and promoting Jain literature.

In essence, "Bambai Chintamani Parshwanathadi Stavan Pad Sangraha" is a significant collection of devotional poetry and historical records associated with the Jain tradition, particularly the Kharatar Gachchha, and centers around the veneration of Chintamani Parshvanatha in Bombay. It provides insights into Jain devotional practices, hagiography of spiritual leaders, and the history of a specific Jain temple.