Bhakta Bharti Athva Bhagwat Panchashika

This document is a scanned copy of the Jain text "Bhakta Bharti athva Bhagwat Panchashika" (Bhakta Bharti or Bhagwat Panchashika) authored by Muni Nyayavijay. It was published by Kantilal Nihalchand and printed by Shree Bahadur Singhji Pre-Press, Palitana. The book was printed in V.S. 2009 (Ashvina), with financial assistance from Shree Heeradevi, the wife of Shree Kantilal Nihalchand.

The text is structured into several sections (Parichhedas):

• First Parichhed: Shikharivihar (Peak Ascent) - Consists of 25 verses.
• Second Parichhed: Shardalcharan (Lion's Feet) - Consists of verses 26-36.
• Third Parichhed: Vividha Naad (Various Sounds) - Consists of verses 37-50.
• Final Two Verses: Bhaktimahimaprashasti (Praise of Devotion's Glory).

The introductory pages (6-8) provide an overview of the book's themes:

• The Nature of Devotion: The text emphasizes that devotion is the highest sentiment, making the soul pure. It describes devotion as an attraction to divine virtues, leading to worship and a desire to emulate the divine. True devotion leads to spiritual progress and the ultimate goal of becoming like the divine (fully liberated soul).
• Devotion and Right Conduct: Devotion is presented as the natural outcome of righteous conduct. The book highlights that true religion encompasses both thought and action. This includes virtuous thoughts, benevolent feelings, universal friendliness, freedom from malice, and actions characterized by truth, non-violence, charity, service, humility, gentleness, forgiveness, and tolerance.
• Universal Nature of Religion: The author stresses that religion is not exclusive to any sect or dogma. Any intelligent person can understand and practice the path of truth and non-violence. Religion is open to all, like the sun and moon. The book advocates for an open mind to embrace good teachings from any source and to focus on the essence of dharma, which is humaneness, truth, non-violence, self-control, service, and renunciation. The ultimate goal is to control the senses and make the soul its own master.

The core of the text is a series of verses (Shlokas) in Sanskrit, with Gujarati translations provided. These verses are devotional in nature, praising the divine and expressing the devotee's reliance, surrender, and aspiration for spiritual growth.

Key themes recurring throughout the verses include:

• Seeking refuge in the Divine: The verses repeatedly address the divine as the ultimate refuge in the world.
• Overcoming afflictions: The devotee seeks the divine's help to overcome ignorance, desires, passions (like anger and attachment), sorrows, and the cycle of birth and death.
• The path to liberation: The verses describe the divine as the guide to the path of welfare and liberation. True independence is defined as following the guidance of one's own pure conscience.
• The importance of character and conduct: The text emphasizes that true worship is living a life of righteousness. Divine grace is attained through virtuous actions and a pure heart.
• The limitations of worldly pursuits: Worldly pleasures and attachments are portrayed as transient and ultimately unsatisfying.
• The transformative power of devotion: Devotion is shown to purify the mind, strengthen the soul, and lead to spiritual progress, ultimately enabling one to become like the divine.
• Universal love and compassion: The verses advocate for treating all beings with kindness and compassion, reflecting the divine's own universal love.

The final section, "Bhakti Mahima Prashasti," reiterates the importance of devotion and the divine's support for devotees, leading to spiritual upliftment and ultimate attainment of peace and bliss. The author, Muni Nyayavijay, dedicates this work to his guru, Acharya Shri Vijaydharmasuriji.

In essence, "Bhakta Bharti athva Bhagwat Panchashika" is a profound devotional text within the Jain tradition, offering guidance on the path to spiritual liberation through unwavering devotion, righteous conduct, and the cultivation of virtues, all centered around the veneration of the divine.