Bhairav Padmavati Kalp

The book "Bhairav Padmavati Kalpa" by K. V. Abhyankar and Sarabhai Manilal Nawab, published by Sarabhai Manilal Nawab, is a significant Jain text focused on the worship and invocation of Goddess Padmavati, a powerful Yakshi associated with Jainism. The text is a compilation of various rituals, mantras, yantras (mystical diagrams), and devotional practices dedicated to her.

Here'8 a comprehensive summary of the book's content based on the provided pages:

I. Introduction and Purpose:

• Reverence for Jain Heritage: The book is part of the "Shri Jain Prachin Sahityoddhar Granthavali" series, aimed at reviving and presenting ancient Jain literary treasures. This specific volume is the fifth in the series.
• Goddess Padmavati: The central focus is on Goddess Padmavati, described as a powerful and miraculous protector of the Jain faith. The text includes various aspects of her worship, including mantras, yantras, and different forms of her invocation.
• Scholarly Compilation: The book is presented as a meticulous effort by its editors and translators, acknowledging the contributions of various scholars, munis, and patrons who helped in preserving and bringing this ancient literature to light.
• Addressing Skepticism: The introductory sections delve into the nature and efficacy of mantras, addressing potential doubts. It highlights that mantras are not mere incantations but specific arrangements of letters that can manifest immense power when uttered with proper intent and adherence to prescribed methods. The text argues against the notion that ancient mantras have lost their power, attributing perceived failures to improper pronunciation, lack of faith, or not following the correct rituals.
• Historical Context of Mantras in Jainism: The text provides a historical perspective on the use of "vidyamantras" within Jainism, asserting that it predates the influence of other traditions like Buddhism. It cites the expertise of various Jain Acharyas in this field and emphasizes that the Jain approach to mantra science was always pure and aimed at spiritual liberation and the protection of the teachings, not mere worldly gains.

II. Key Contents and Structure:

The book is structured into several sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of the ritualistic practices related to Goddess Padmavati and other associated deities:

1. Bhairav Padmavati Kalpa (Main Text): This is the primary text attributed to Shrimalishen Suri. It details various rituals and practices. The text is divided into ten chapters (Adhikaras), each covering specific aspects:

   • Adhikara 1: Mantrila Lakshana Adhikara (Characteristics of the Mantra-practitioner): This chapter defines the qualities and conduct required of a sincere practitioner of mantras. It emphasizes virtues like purity, devotion, discipline, and proper knowledge.
   • Adhikara 2: Sakalikara Parichchheda (Section on Sakalikara): This section likely deals with rituals for self-protection or purification using mantras and yantras. It includes detailed descriptions of specific practices and their purpose.
   • Adhikara 3: Devyarchana Kramam (Order of Goddess Worship): This details the systematic process of worshipping the Goddess, including specific rituals, offerings, and visualizations.
   • Adhikara 4: Dwadasha Ranjika Mantra Uddhara Parichchheda (Extraction of Twelve Ranjika Mantras): This section focuses on twelve specific types of mantras and their applications, possibly related to specific outcomes or powers.
   • Adhikara 5: Krodhadi Stambhana Yantra Parichchheda (Yantras for Subduing Anger, etc.): This chapter provides yantras and rituals for controlling negative emotions like anger, lust, and for achieving specific objectives through magical diagrams.
   • Adhikara 6: Angana Akarshana Parichchheda (Attraction of Women/Specific Individuals): This section details practices for attracting or influencing individuals, likely focusing on specific mantras and yantras.
   • Adhikara 7: Vashikarana Yantra Parichchheda (Yantras for Subjugation): This chapter covers various yantras and rituals designed for achieving control or subjugation over others or circumstances.
   • Adhikara 8: Darpanadi Nimitta Parichchheda (Divination through Mirror and Other Signs): This section likely discusses methods of foretelling the future or gaining insight through divination techniques involving mirrors or other omens.
   • Adhikara 9: Vashyaushadha Parichchheda (Medicines for Subjugation): This chapter focuses on medicinal preparations or substances used in conjunction with rituals for achieving control or influence.
   • Adhikara 10: Garud Tantra Adhikara (Garuda Tantra Section): This chapter is dedicated to practices related to counteracting poisons, particularly snake venom, likely invoking the power of Garuda or serpentine deities. It includes specific mantras and rituals for this purpose.

2. Appendices (Parishishtani): The book includes numerous appendices that supplement the main text, providing additional related information and texts. These include:

   • Parishishta 1: Adbhut Padmavati Kalpa (Wonderful Padmavati Kalpa): Attributed to Shri Chandramari, a disciple of Shri Yashobhadra Upadhyay. This seems to be another text focusing on Padmavati worship with specific rituals.
   • Parishishta 2: Shri Padmavati Poojan (Worship of Shri Padmavati): Likely a detailed guide to the daily or specific worship rituals of the Goddess.
   • Parishishta 3: Rakta Padmavati Kalpa (Red Padmavati Kalpa): This appendix focuses on a specific form or aspect of Padmavati, possibly associated with the color red, and its associated practices.
   • Parishishta 4: Shri Padmavati Vrat Udyapan (Completion Ritual of Padmavati Vrat): This section details the concluding ceremonies and rituals after undertaking a vow or fast dedicated to Padmavati. It includes hymns and prayers.
   • Parishishta 5: Shri Padmavati Stotra (Hymns to Padmavati): A collection of devotional hymns dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, praising her attributes and seeking her blessings.
   • Parishishta 6: Shri Ambika Ashtaka (Eight Verses to Ambika): Devotional verses dedicated to Goddess Ambika, another important Yakshi in Jainism, often associated with Padmavati.
   • Parishishta 7: Shri Jinaprabha Suri Virachita Shri Padmavati Stuti (Praise of Padmavati by Shri Jinaprabha Suri): A specific praise composed by the respected Acharya Jinaprabha Suri.
   • Parishishta 8: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Padmavati Chaturpadika (Four-line Praise of Padmavati by Shri Jinadatta Suri): A concise devotional composition in four lines by Acharya Jinadatta Suri.
   • Parishishta 9: Shri Ambika Stuti (Praise of Ambika): Another set of praises dedicated to Goddess Ambika.
   • Parishishta 10: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Stotra (Hymn to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): A hymn dedicated to Goddess Chakreshvari, another important Yakshi in Jainism.
   • Parishishta 11: Shri Mallishana Suri Virachita Shri Saraswati Mann Kalpa (Mantra Kalpa of Saraswati by Shri Mallishana Suri): A text focusing on mantras and rituals related to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and learning.
   • Parishishta 12: Shri Bapphabhatisuri Virachita Shri Saraswati Kalpa (Kalpa of Saraswati by Shri Bapphabhatisuri): Another text on Saraswati worship, attributed to the renowned Acharya Bapphabhatisuri.
   • Parishishta 13: Pathita Siddha Sarasvata Stotra (Praise of Siddha Saraswati): A hymn dedicated to a specific form of Saraswati, the Siddha Saraswati.
   • Parishishta 14: Shri Sharada Stavana (Praise of Sharada): A praise dedicated to Sharada, another name for Saraswati.
   • Parishishta 15: Devi Stotra (Hymn to the Goddess): General hymns dedicated to the Goddess, possibly referring to Padmavati or other associated deities.
   • Parishishta 16: Shri Ambika Ashtaka (Eight Verses to Ambika): As mentioned earlier, this contains eight verses dedicated to Ambika.
   • Parishishta 17: Shri Ambika Stuti (Praise of Ambika): Another praise to Ambika, attributed to Shri Jinadatta Suri.
   • Parishishta 18: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Stotra (Hymn to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): As mentioned earlier, a hymn to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri.
   • Parishishta 19: Shri Ambika Tatanka (Part of Ambika's Rituals): This likely refers to a specific ritualistic practice or a part of the worship of Ambika.
   • Parishishta 20: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Ashtaka (Eight Verses to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): Eight verses dedicated to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri.
   • Parishishta 21: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Stotra (Another Hymn to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): Yet another hymn dedicated to Chakreshvari.
   • Parishishta 22: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Ashtaka (Eight Verses to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): Eight verses dedicated to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri.
   • Parishishta 23: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Stotra (Another Hymn to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): Another hymn dedicated to Chakreshvari.
   • Parishishta 24: Shri Jinadatta Suri Virachita Shri Chakreshvari Ashtaka (Eight Verses to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri): Eight verses dedicated to Chakreshvari by Shri Jinadatta Suri.
   • Parishishta 25: Jwalamalini Mantra Stotra (Hymn of Mantras for Jwalamalini): This section contains mantras and hymns dedicated to Jwalamalini, another powerful Yakshi.
   • Parishishta 26: Shri Garbha Stotra (Hymn of Garbha): A hymn with the title "Garbha," possibly referring to a specific aspect or invocation.
   • Parishishta 27: Shri Padmavati Stotra (Hymns to Padmavati): A collection of hymns dedicated to Padmavati.
   • Parishishta 28: Shri Padmavati Kavacha (Armour of Padmavati): Protective verses or incantations dedicated to Padmavati.
   • Parishishta 29: Suri Vidya Stotra (Hymn of Suri Vidya): Hymns related to the knowledge or practices of the Suris (Jain scholars/leaders).
   • Parishishta 30: Acharya Shri Bhadragupta Virachita Anubhava Siddha Mantra Dwatrimshika (Thirty-two Mantras Experienced by Acharya Bhadragupta): A collection of 32 potent mantras with detailed explanations.
   • Adhikara 5: Krodhadi Stambhana Yantra Parichchheda (Yantras for Subduing Anger, etc.): As mentioned earlier, this covers yantras for controlling emotions.
   • Adhikara 6: Angana Akarshana Parichchheda (Attraction of Women/Specific Individuals): As mentioned earlier, this covers practices for attraction.
   • Adhikara 7: Vashikarana Yantra Parichchheda (Yantras for Subjugation): As mentioned earlier, this covers yantras for subjugation.
   • Adhikara 8: Darpanadi Nimitta Parichchheda (Divination through Mirror and Other Signs): As mentioned earlier, this covers divination.
   • Adhikara 9: Vashyaushadha Parichchheda (Medicines for Subjugation): As mentioned earlier, this covers medicinal preparations.
   • Adhikara 10: Garud Tantra Adhikara (Garuda Tantra Section): As mentioned earlier, this covers practices related to counteracting poisons.
   • Parishishta 31: Shri Gambhir Virachita Shri Laghu Shanti Stotra (Short Stotra of Shanti by Shri Gambhir): A shorter hymn dedicated to peace and well-being.

III. Key Themes and Practices:

• Mantras and Yantras: The book extensively features mantras (sacred utterances) and yantras (geometric diagrams used in rituals) for various purposes, including protection, attraction, subjugation, healing, and controlling emotions.
• Ritualistic Procedures: Detailed instructions are provided for performing various rituals, including purification, invocation, offerings, visualization, and concluding ceremonies.
• Devotional Aspect: The text emphasizes the importance of devotion, faith, and sincerity in the practice of these rituals for them to be effective.
• Deities and Associated Practices: While Padmavati is the primary focus, the book also includes sections on the worship of other related deities like Ambika, Chakreshvari, Saraswati, and various Bhairavas.
• Preservation of Ancient Knowledge: The emphasis on reviving ancient texts suggests a goal of preserving and making accessible the rich repository of Jain spiritual and ritualistic knowledge.
• Guidance for Practitioners: The text serves as a practical guide for those seeking to understand and perform these powerful practices, offering both the theoretical basis and the step-by-step instructions.

IV. Specific Examples of Practices Mentioned:

• Anga Nyasa and Kara Nyasa: Rituals involving the placement of mantras or divine energies on different parts of the body.
• Yantra Diagrams: Numerous yantras are described for specific purposes like attraction, subjugation, and protection from negative influences.
• Specific Mantras: The text provides a vast array of mantras, often involving bija (seed) syllables and the names of deities.
• Rituals for Specific Outcomes: The book covers practices for achieving worldly desires like wealth and power, as well as spiritual goals like liberation.
• Divination: Methods for seeking divine guidance through means like mirrors are also included.
• Protection from Poisons: A significant portion is dedicated to practices that counteract the effects of poison, likely drawing from the protective aspect associated with Padmavati and Garuda.

In essence, "Bhairav Padmavati Kalpa" is a comprehensive manual for the practice of Tantric and ritualistic aspects within Jainism, primarily focusing on the veneration of Goddess Padmavati. It reflects a belief in the power of specific sound vibrations, symbolic representations, and ritualistic actions to influence worldly events and achieve spiritual goals. The book's meticulous compilation and presentation underscore the importance of preserving and disseminating this specialized knowledge within the Jain tradition.