Gyan Lochan Evam Bahubali Stotram

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gyan Lochan evam Bahubali Stotram":

This book, published by Gangwal Dharmik Trust Raipur, presents two important Jain devotional hymns: the Gyan Lochan Stotram and the Bahubali Stotram.

Authorship and Translation:

• The Gyan Lochan Stotram is attributed to Vadirajkavi, a scholarly poet from the Khandelvwal lineage. The text suggests he was a minister to King Rajsingh and completed his commentary on Vagbhatalankar (Kavichandrika) in Vikram Samvat 1729. He is described as a scholar who equated himself with renowned scholars like Dhananjaya, Ashadhar, and Vagbhat.
• The Bahubali Stotram is attributed to an unknown author.
• The Hindi translation and editing of these hymns were undertaken by Brahmachari Rajendra Jain, with additional editing by Brahmachari Vinod Jain and Brahmachari Anil Jain.

Content and Themes:

1. Gyan Lochan Stotram (Hymn of the Eye of Knowledge):

This stotram is primarily a hymn praising Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara. It highlights his profound and unique qualities:

• Perfect and Unblemished Knowledge: Lord Parshvanatha's knowledge is described as flawless, beyond comparison with human knowledge derived from perception, inference, and scripture. His knowledge transcends all limitations and coverings of error.
• Object of Ultimate Devotion: Devotees meditate on Him, praise Him, and bow to Him, and after encountering His teachings, they turn away from all other scriptures and doctrines.
• Detachment and Liberation: The hymn praises Him for his detachment, having renounced immense wealth and empire (like worldly kingdoms) as if they were mere straw. This detachment, coupled with focused meditation, led Him to omniscience and liberation.
• The Chosen One: Lord Parshvanatha is presented as the ultimate choice for liberation, surpassing other deities and spiritual teachers like Brihaspati, Buddha, Kapil, and Shiva.
• Transmutation of Doctrines: His teachings are not flawed like those of others that lead to the cycle of rebirth. Instead, his doctrines, through the power of Syadvada (the Jain doctrine of conditioned predication), transform heterodox views into proper guidelines, much like sharp alchemical processes can turn iron into gold.
• Incomprehensible Nature: The stotram questions how one can meditate on Him, as He is neither the giver, protector, sustainer, nor perceivable. He is beyond control, knowledge of qualities, or lack thereof.
• The Path to Salvation: The hymns emphasize that true salvation comes from following the path of dharma, symbolized as a rope to lift beings out of the well of existence.
• Spiritual Purity: Devotees who strive for purity of mind, speech, and action by worshipping His feet are assured of happiness.
• Self-Reflection and Renunciation: The poet expresses personal regret for past actions and indulgences, acknowledging that his life has been spent in vanity and drama, and seeks liberation from this cycle. He admits to a lack of devotional practices like charity, pilgrimage, penance, chanting, and scriptural study, lamenting the wasted human life.
• The Power of Syadvada: The stotram highlights the salvific power of the Syadvada philosophy, which combats ignorance, desire, anger, and the illusion of the self.
• Inner Peace and Overcoming Afflictions: It is stated that devotion to Him brings inner peace, eradicates worldly desires and the pain caused by the cycle of birth and death, and grants strength to overcome afflictions.
• Unwavering Devotion: The hymn concludes with a plea for the poet's senses to be purified to enable continuous devotion and sight of the Lord's lotus feet.

2. Bahubali Stotram (Hymn of Bahubali):

This stotram is a glorification of Lord Bahubali, the eldest son of the first Jain Tirthankara, Lord Rishabhanatha (Adinath), and brother of Emperor Bharat.

• Victorious Warrior and Ascetic: The stotram celebrates Bahubali's might in battle and wrestling, which even overcame Emperor Bharat. Despite his victory and potential to conquer kingdoms, he renounced his vast empire, considering it insignificant like straw, to pursue liberation.
• Embodiment of Strength and Detachment: He is described as possessing immense strength, symbolized by his powerful arms, and the detachment to forsake worldly possessions and regal authority.
• Divine Austerity: The stotram describes his ascetic practices, highlighting his ability to withstand harsh weather conditions like intense cold, rain, and scorching sun with steadfastness and equanimity.
• The Path to Victory: It is stated that those who remember Bahubali with a peaceful heart and devotion attain the unconquerable victory of Jainism.
• Connection to Spiritual Teachers: He is recognized as a yogi and a revered figure among other yogis, signifying his spiritual eminence.
• Lordly Qualities: His physical appearance is poetically described, with mentions of his hair, serene countenance, and the reverence he commanded.

Publisher's Note (Prakashkiy): The publisher, Gangwal Dharmik Trust, expresses their gratitude to Brahmachari Vinodji and their inspiration for this publication. The printing of this work is dedicated to the memory of their parents, Kasturchand Ji and Gulab Bai Gangwal, who were described as simple, generous, deeply devoted individuals who consistently upheld their religious duties and visited sacred pilgrimage sites.

Editor's Note (Sampadkiy): The editor, Brahmachari Vinod Jain, highlights the diligence of Brahmachari Rajendra Jain in diligently studying and translating these ancient texts. He points out some minor errors found in previous versions and expresses his effort to refine the language for publication. He underscores the unique nature of these compositions, particularly the self-deprecating tone of the author in the Gyan Lochan Stotram, which reflects the characteristics of a spiritual seeker.

Translator's Note (Anuvadak Ki Or Se): Brahmachari Rajendra Jain expresses his immense fortune in having studied under the esteemed Pandit Pannalal Sahityacharya for fourteen years. His passion for exploring new and unpublished scriptures led him to discover and translate these stotrams. He credits Brahmachari Vinod Jain and Brahmachari Anil Jain for their crucial role in editing and bringing this work to fruition.

In essence, the book "Gyan Lochan evam Bahubali Stotram" serves as a devotional guide, offering profound praise to Lord Parshvanatha for his supreme knowledge and the path of liberation he illuminated, and to Lord Bahubali for his exemplary strength, detachment, and spiritual fortitude. The publication is a testament to the efforts of individuals dedicated to preserving and propagating Jain scriptures.