Be Sanskrit Stavan - Book Summary

This document, titled "Be Sanskrit Stavan" (Two Sanskrit Stotras) and compiled by Muni Dharmkirtivijay, presents two devotional hymns in Sanskrit. The publication is attributed to ZZ_Anusandhan and is marked for private and personal use only by JAIN EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL.

Introduction (Page 1):

The compiler, Muni Dharmkirtivijay, states that he has edited and presented two Sanskrit stotras obtained from scattered handwritten manuscripts.

First Stotra: This is a hymn dedicated to Bhagwan Adinath (the first Tirthankara). It is authored by Vachak Hemhans Gan. A notable characteristic of this hymn is that it exclusively uses words and characters starting with the vowel 'a' (अ), yet it is remarkably simple and easy to understand.
Second Stotra: This is a hymn dedicated to Bhagwan Parshvanath (the 23rd Tirthankara). The fifth verse contains the word "Jaysar," which is believed to indicate the author. Verses 3 and 4 are particularly noteworthy as they describe Bhagwan Parshvanath in the forms of the nine planets, which is considered an attention-grabbing aspect.

Sri Adinath Stavan (Pages 1-3):

This is an extensive hymn in praise of Bhagwan Adinath. It is structured in multiple verses, each praising various attributes of Adinath. The verses utilize a rich vocabulary and poetic imagery, highlighting Adinath's divine nature, his ability to alleviate suffering, his cosmic presence, and his role as a guide to liberation. The hymn concludes with a verse stating that those who continuously praise and worship the virtuous and sin-free Adinath will attain the status of great ascetics and ultimately achieve liberation (moksha), being embraced by the divine maiden of purity. The hymn is attributed to Mahopadhyaya Sri Hemhans Ganikrutam and written by Sundar Devgan.

Sri Parshvanath Laghu Stavan (Pages 3-4):

This is a shorter hymn dedicated to Bhagwan Parshvanath.

Verse 1: Praises Parshvanath as the essence of the great chariot of Dharma, possessing eloquent and gentle speech, being the source of virtuous conduct, the ornament on the chest of the bride of Siddhi (liberation), and the abode of the lotus of Kevala (omniscience). It also refers to him as the adornment of the Naga Drah (a sacred lake).
Verse 2: Addresses Parshvanath as the remover of the passions of Mara (Kama), the one who is praised in celestial music, a prince of the Kshatriya lineage, one who bears a halo of spreading hoods of a serpent, and an endlessly humble and generous deity. The author expresses his devotion.
Verse 3: Compares Parshvanath to the Sun (Divasapati) who dispels fear, the Moon (Chandra) who expands beautiful rays, the planet Mars (Mangal) who brings auspiciousness, Mercury (Budha) who aids the wise, the best of Gurus (Brihaspati) who removes flaws, and Venus (Shukra) who brings valor.
Verse 4: Describes how the planets fulfill desires: Saturn (Shani) grants desires slowly, Rahu (Rahu) bestows great strength, and Ketu (Ketu) brings fame and happiness. It states that those who constantly keep the great and supremely fortunate Vamanandan (referring to Parshvanath, possibly due to his dwarfish stature in some depictions or his being the son of a king) in their minds will experience these benefits. The verse then praises him as a jewel-laden chest of great generosity, a raft to cross the ocean of worldly fear, one who has destroyed false doctrines, and as the sun that blossoms the lotus of Jaysar (likely the author's name or a place). It concludes by urging others to rejoice with him.

The hymn is followed by a colophon indicating its completion in Samvat 1684, Kartik Vad Chauth Dashami Dine (a specific date in the lunar calendar).