Bhaktamara Stotra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Bhaktamara Stotra," authored by Mantungsuri and Amarmuni, published by Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra, focusing on the content presented:

Overview of the Text:

This document is the Hindi translation and commentary of the "Bhaktamara Stotra," attributed to Acharya Mantung and translated by Upadhyay Amarmuni. It is published by Sanmati Gyan Pith, Agra, and this is its eleventh revised edition, indicating its popularity and widespread readership. The text is presented as the seventh jewel in the "Sanmati Sahitya Ratnamala" series.

Introduction and Significance:

Name Origin: The name "Bhaktamara" is derived from the initial word of the stotra itself, as mentioned in the Anuyogadvara Sutra.
Subject: The stotra is a hymn dedicated to Lord Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara.
Meter: The stotra is composed in the "Vasantatilaka" meter, known for its sweetness and elegance in Sanskrit literature.
Author's Background: Acharya Mantung is described as a highly talented scholar and a great influence on the Jain tradition, filled with immense devotion.
Miraculous Origin: A key anecdote highlights the stotra's power. King Vriddhabhoj of Avanti imprisoned Acharya Mantung, chaining and shackling him. After three days of meditation, Acharya Mantung composed the Bhaktamara Stotra. Upon completing the forty-sixth verse, all his bonds, including the chains, shackles, and locks, broke, and he was freed. This event deeply impacted the king, leading to his conversion to Jainism.
Devotional Practice: The text emphasizes the profound effect of the Bhaktamara Stotra, noting that many people today do not eat a single morsel of food without reciting it.
The Path of Devotion: Devotion is described as a path of the heart, requiring the awakening of faith. True devotion to God brings forth both material and spiritual prosperity. Faith alone is highlighted as the key to overcoming despair.
Translator's Motivation: Upadhyay Amarmuni mentions being urged by a devout young man, Babu Niranjansingh of Delhi, to translate the stotra into Hindi. The lack of a Sanskrit commentary initially posed a challenge, but the translator undertook the task due to the persistent request and his own devotion.
Purpose of the Edition: The eleventh edition includes the "Anvayartha" (word-by-word meaning) to further benefit the readers. It expresses hope that readers will continue to be inspired by the stotra and attain both spiritual and material wealth.

Key Themes and Content (from the verses):

The stotra's verses, through elaborate metaphors and analogies, praise the glory, purity, and salvific power of Lord Rishabhadeva. Key themes include:

Lord Rishabhadeva's Divine Radiance: His feet emit a light brighter than the jewels on the crowns of gods. He is the guiding light and support for those drowning in the ocean of existence.
Incomparable Glory: Even the gods and Indra praise him with elaborate hymns. The author humbly acknowledges his own limited capacity to praise such an exalted being.
The Futility of Human Effort vs. Divine Grace: The author compares his attempt to praise God to a child trying to grasp the reflection of the moon in water, highlighting the impossibility of fully comprehending or describing God's infinite virtues.
The Power of Devotion: True devotion overcomes perceived limitations. The example of a deer defending its fawn against a lion illustrates how love can inspire seemingly impossible feats. Similarly, the author's devotion compels him to praise God despite his lack of intellectual prowess.
The Influence of the Divine: The stotra's recitation is described as purifying the mind from sins, much like the morning sun dispels the darkness of night. Even the mere presence of the Lord's grace, like dew drops on a lotus leaf reflecting the moon, enriches the mind.
Transcending Material Desires: The Lord's presence makes other worldly attractions insignificant, just as drinking the sweet nectar of the ocean of milk makes the salty ocean water undesirable.
Divine Purity and Uniqueness: The Lord's body is made of pure, detached atoms, making him uniquely beautiful and unparalleled in existence.
The Lord's Form: His face is more captivating than the moon, which itself is flawed and diminished by day. His qualities transcend the three worlds, unhindered by any force.
Incomparable Majesty: The Lord is compared to the sun in his ability to dispel darkness and bring light and prosperity. His brilliance surpasses even the sun, being constant and unassailable by any celestial obstruction like Rahu or clouds.
The Lord as the Embodiment of Ultimate Knowledge and Virtue: He is the source of true knowledge, superior to that of other deities. His virtues are likened to precious gems, while others' qualities are like mere glass.
The Supreme Being: The Lord is described as the ultimate, omniscient, and pure being. His teachings guide humanity towards liberation.
The Lord's Benevolence: He is the remover of suffering, the adornment of the earth, and the master of the universe, capable of drying up the ocean of worldly existence.
The Lord's Invincibility and Purity: Even when faced with powerful beings like elephants, lions, fire, or snakes, the Lord's devotees are protected. His name is a potent antidote to all fears and dangers.
The Power of the Name: Reciting the Lord's name is depicted as capable of extinguishing the fire of worldly suffering, pacifying dangerous creatures, and overcoming the challenges of war, storms, and disease.
The Lord's Protection: Devotees find refuge at his lotus feet, rendering them fearless in the face of the most formidable threats.
The Lord's Divine Attributes and Miracles: The stotra details various auspicious signs and attributes associated with the Tirthankaras, such as the Ashok tree, the celestial umbrella, the divine proclamation of victory, showers of celestial flowers, the halo, and the divine voice that speaks all languages.
The Ideal Path: The stotra ultimately serves as a guide for spiritual advancement, promising protection, prosperity, and liberation to those who devoutly recite it.

Overall Message:

The Bhaktamara Stotra is a powerful devotional hymn that extols the virtues and glory of Lord Rishabhadeva. It emphasizes the transformative power of faith, devotion, and the recitation of the Lord's name. The stotra serves as a source of protection, inspiration, and spiritual guidance, promising liberation and well-being to its sincere devotees. The translation by Upadhyay Amarmuni makes this ancient and revered text accessible to a wider audience, reinforcing its timeless relevance in the Jain tradition.