Chaityavandan Chaturvinshati - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chaityavandan Chaturvinshati" by Acharya Shrimad VijayLabdhisurishwarji, based on the provided pages:

Title: Chaityavandan Chaturvinshati (चैत्यवन्दनचतुर्विंशतिः) Author: Acharya Shrimad VijayLabdhisurishwarji Maharaj (श्रीमद्विजयलब्धिसूरीश्वरजी महाराजः) Publisher: Shreelabdhishurishwar Jain Granthmala (श्री लब्धिसूरीश्वर जैन ग्रन्थमाला) Publication Year: Vira Samvat 2465 / Vikram Samvat 1995 (1939 CE)

Overall Purpose and Content:

"Chaityavandan Chaturvinshati" is a significant Jain text that offers a collection of devotional hymns or vandan (worship/salutation) dedicated to twenty-four Tirthankaras (Jain spiritual leaders) and other important entities within Jainism. The title itself, "Chaturvinshati," translates to "twenty-four," indicating the primary focus on the twenty-four Tirthankaras.

The work is a compilation of stotras or eulogistic verses composed in various poetic meters (chandas). Each section is dedicated to a specific Tirthankara, commencing with Lord Rishabhanana (also known as Adinatha), the first Tirthankara, and continuing sequentially through the twenty-four Tirthankaras. The text also includes salutations to important figures and concepts like Siddha Shila (the abode of liberated souls), Siddha Chakra (a significant Jain diagram), Paryushana Parva (a major Jain festival), and Gyan Panchami (a festival celebrating knowledge).

Key Features and Themes:

Devotional Hymns: The core of the text comprises devotional songs of praise and veneration for each Tirthankara. These hymns highlight the unique qualities, virtues, and spiritual accomplishments of each Tirthankara, emphasizing their role in guiding humanity towards liberation.
Poetic Structure and Meter: The author, Acharya Shrimad VijayLabdhisurishwarji, demonstrates mastery over various Sanskrit poetic meters. Each vandan is composed in a specific meter, with the name of the meter often indicated. This adds a rich literary and aesthetic dimension to the devotional content. Examples of meters mentioned include:
- Drutavilambitam (द्रुतविलम्बितम्)
- Totakam (तोटकम्)
- Mandakranta (मन्दाक्रान्ता)
- Shikharini (शिखरिणी)
- Shardulavikriditam (शार्दूलविक्रीडितम्)
- Vasantatilaka (वसन्ततिलक)
- Malini ( मालिनी)
- Panchachamar (पञ्चचामरम्)
- Upajati (उपजाति:)
- Sragdhara (स्रग्धरा)
- Harini (हरिणी)
- Vamshastha (वंशस्थ)
- Bhujanga Prayata (भुजङ्गप्रयातम्)
- Shalini (शालिनी)
- Akhyanaki (आख्यानकी)
- Indravee (इन्द्रवी)
- Manjubhashini (मञ्जुभाषिणी)
- Muktimala (मौक्तिकमाला)
- Indravamsha (इन्द्रवंशा)
- Stri (स्त्री)
- Kusumavichitra (कुसुमविचित्रा)
- Matti (मत्ती)
- Chancharikavali (चञ्चरीकावली)
- Upendravajra (उपेन्द्रवजी)
- Vatormi (वातोर्मी)
- Dodhaka (दोधक)
- Mattebhavikridita (मत्तेभविक्रीडितम्)
- Sragvini (स्रग्विणी)
- Pramadanana (प्रमदानन)
- Meghavisphurjita (मेघविस्फूर्जिता)
- Swagata (स्वागत)
- Viparita Akhyanaki (विपरीता ख्यातकी)
- Pramanika (प्रमाणिका)
- Praharsini (प्रहर्षिणी)
Emphasis on Core Jain Principles: The hymns consistently reiterate fundamental Jain teachings such as:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Protection of all living beings is a recurring theme.
- Karma: The concept of karma and its consequences is implied in the verses.
- Liberation (Moksha): The ultimate goal of spiritual practice is liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and the Tirthankaras are presented as guides towards this goal.
- Knowledge (Jnana) and Right Conduct (Charitra): The importance of pure knowledge and virtuous conduct is highlighted.
- Detachment: The detachment of the Tirthankaras from worldly pleasures and their pursuit of spiritual purity are praised.
Praise for Specific Tirthankaras: Each vandan focuses on the unique attributes of the respective Tirthankara. For instance, the hymns might describe their physical characteristics, their lineage, their achievements in spiritual battles against internal enemies like passions (kashayas), and their role in establishing the Jain path.
Inclusion of Other Sacred Entities: Beyond the Tirthankaras, the text honors:
- Siddha Shila: The abode of liberated souls, representing the ultimate state of freedom.
- Siddha Chakra: A sacred diagram embodying the five supreme beings of Jainism (Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).
- Paryushana Parva: A period of intense spiritual observance and penance.
- Gyan Panchami: A festival dedicated to the acquisition of spiritual knowledge.
- Lord Rishabhanana (Adinatha): The first Tirthankara, whose salutation is presented first.
- Lord Mahavir: The last Tirthankara, whose hymns are also included.
Literary and Scholarly Contribution: The text is a testament to the author's profound knowledge of Jain philosophy, scripture, and Sanskrit poetics. The inclusion of detailed meter descriptions (lakshana) for many of the stanzas indicates a scholarly approach to composing these devotional pieces.
Spiritual Guidance: The collection serves as a guide for Jain followers to perform Chaityavandan (worship of holy structures and deities) and to connect with the spiritual essence of the Tirthankaras. It aims to inspire devotion, ethical living, and the pursuit of spiritual goals.

Author and Publisher:

The work is a significant contribution from Acharya Shrimad VijayLabdhisurishwarji, a revered Jain scholar and spiritual leader. The publication by the "Shreelabdhishurishwar Jain Granthmala" signifies its importance within the Jain literary tradition. The mention of "Jeevarakshapracharakacharya Varya Shrimad VijayGambhir Suri" suggests that the publication was possibly supported or guided by another esteemed scholar, Shrimad VijayGambhir Suri, with assistance from the Madras Jain Sangh.

In essence, "Chaityavandan Chaturvinshati" is a comprehensive devotional and poetic work within Jainism, offering lyrical tributes to the Tirthankaras and other sacred elements, promoting spiritual reflection and adherence to Jain principles.