Jain Arti Sangraha - Book Summary

This Jain text, "Jain Aarti Sangraha," is a comprehensive collection of devotional songs (aartis) dedicated to various figures and concepts within Jainism. The book appears to be a compilation of aartis sung during prayers, rituals, and festivals.

Here's a breakdown of its content based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose:

The primary purpose of this book is to provide a collection of traditional Jain aartis for devotional practice.
The title itself, "Jain Aarti Sangraha," indicates a collection of aartis.
The Sanskrit phrase "परस्परोपग्रहो जीवानाम" (Parasparopagraho Jivanam) on page 1, meaning "All souls are interdependent," reflects the Jain principle of universal compassion and mutual support, which underlies devotional practices.

Content Overview (as indicated by the Table of Contents and sample pages):

Invocation and Core Jain Principles:
- The collection begins with foundational Jain mantras and prayers, such as the Navkar Mantra (page 6-7). This mantra is central to Jainism, venerating the five supreme beings (Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus).
- There are general invocations like "जय बोलो भगवान की" (Page 7) and "जिनेन्द्र प्रार्थना - जय जिनेन्द्र" (Page 8), emphasizing the worship of the Tirthankaras and the Jinendra principle.
Aartis for Tirthankaras:
- The bulk of the collection is dedicated to aartis for each of the 24 Tirthankaras. This includes multiple aartis for some Tirthankaras, particularly for Lord Rishabhadeva (Adinath) (Pages 11-16) and Lord Parshvanatha (Pages 45-53).
- Each Tirthankara's aarti typically highlights key events in their life, such as their birth, conception, renunciation, attainment of omniscience (Kevalgyan), and liberation (Moksha), often referencing their birthplaces and key symbols.
Aartis for Other Revered Figures and Deities:
- Beyond Tirthankaras, the collection includes aartis for:
  - Shri Panch Parmeshthi Prabhu (The Five Supreme Beings) (Page 10)
  - Shri Padmavati Mata (A Yakshi Devi) (Pages 64-65)
  - Shri Mahalakshmi Mata (A goddess associated with prosperity) (Page 71)
  - Shri Gautamswamiji (The chief disciple of Lord Mahavir) (Pages 73, 141)
  - Shri Saraswati Mata (Goddess of knowledge) (Pages 74, 162)
  - Shri Ghantakarna Mahavir (A protective deity) (Page 75)
  - Shri Bahubali Bhagwan (Son of Lord Rishabhadeva, known for his penance) (Pages 76-78)
  - Shri Kshetrapal Dev (Guardian deities) (Page 125)
  - Ganiini Gyanmati Mataji (A revered contemporary Jain nun and scholar) (Pages 127-132)
  - Shri Ratnamati Mataji (Another revered Jain nun) (Page 145)
  - Shri Veersagar Maharaj (A revered Jain monk) (Page 158)
  - Shri Shantisagar Maharaj (Another revered Jain monk) (Page 155)
Aartis for Sacred Sites (Tirthas):
- The collection also features aartis dedicated to significant Jain pilgrimage sites, such as:
  - Shri Shikharji (Mount Shikhar, considered the holiest of pilgrimage sites) (Pages 72, 161)
  - Ayodhya Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Rishabhadeva and others) (Page 80)
  - Kampilpur Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Vimalanatha) (Page 81)
  - Kakandi Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Pushpadanta) (Page 82)
  - Kundalpur Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Mahavir) (Page 83)
  - Kaushambi Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Padmaprabha) (Page 84)
  - Chandrapuri Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Chandraprabha) (Page 85)
  - Champapur Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Vasupujya) (Page 86)
  - Jrmbhika Tirth (Site where Lord Mahavir attained Kevalgyan) (Page 87)
  - Bhaddilpur Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Shitalanatha) (Page 88)
  - Mithilapuri Tirth (Birthplace of Lords Mallinatha and Naminatha) (Page 89)
  - Ratnapuri Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Dharmanatha) (Page 90)
  - Rajagrihi Tirth (Site of Lord Munisuvrata's birth and Lord Mahavir's first sermon) (Page 91)
  - Varanasi Tirth (Birthplace of Lords Suparshvanatha and Parshvanatha) (Page 92)
  - Shauripur Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Neminatha) (Page 93)
  - Shravasti Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Sambhavanatha) (Page 94)
  - Singhpuri Tirth (Birthplace of Lord Shreyansanatha) (Page 96)
  - Hastinapur Tirth (Significant ancient city, birthplace of several Tirthankaras) (Page 97)
  - Pavaapuri Siddhaksetra (Liberation site of Lord Mahavir) (Pages 146-148)
  - Girnar Siddhaksetra Tirth (Liberation site of Lord Neminatha) (Page 133)
Aartis for Rituals and Concepts:
- The collection also includes aartis related to specific Jain rituals, concepts, and cosmic structures:
  - Indradhvaja Vidhan (A ritualistic practice) (Page 98)
  - Karmadahan Vidhan (Ritual for burning karma) (Page 99)
  - Kalpadrum Vidhan (Ritual related to wish-fulfilling trees) (Page 100)
  - Kalyan Mandir Vidhan (A devotional ritual) (Page 101)
  - Gandharvalaya Vidhan (Ritual related to Gandharas) (Page 102)
  - Chaitya Bhakti Vidhan (Devotion to Jain temples) (Page 103)
  - Chausath Riddhi Vidhan (Ritual related to sixty-four supernatural powers) (Page 104)
  - Jinagunasampatti Vidhan (Wealth of Jain virtues) (Page 105)
  - Teen Lok Vidhan (Ritual related to the three realms of the universe) (Page 106)
  - Tees Chaubisi Vidhan (Ritual related to thirty sets of Tirthankaras) (Page 107)
  - Trailokya Vidhan (Ritual related to the three worlds) (Page 108)
  - Dharmachakra Vidhan (Ritual of the Wheel of Dharma) (Page 109)
  - Nandishwar Mandal Vidhan (Ritual related to Nandishwar Island) (Page 110)
  - Navagraha Shanti Vidhan (Ritual for pacifying the nine planets) (Page 111)
  - Navadevata Vidhan (Ritual for the nine deities) (Page 112)
  - Panch Parmeshthi Vidhan (Ritual for the Five Supreme Beings) (Page 113)
  - Panchameru Vidhan (Ritual related to the five Meru mountains) (Page 114)
  - Punyashrav Vidhan (Ritual for virtuous inflow) (Page 115)
  - Bhaktamar Mandal Vidhan (Ritual based on the Bhaktamar Stotra) (Page 116)
  - Mrityunjay Vidhan (Ritual for overcoming death) (Page 117)
  - Vishwashanti Mahavir Vidhan (Ritual for world peace through Lord Mahavir) (Page 118)
  - Vishapahar Vidhan (Ritual for warding off poison) (Page 119)
  - Shatkhanda-agam Vidhan (Ritual related to a major Jain scripture) (Page 120)
  - Sarvatobhadra Mandal Vidhan (A comprehensive ritualistic mandala) (Page 121)
  - Sahasranama Vidhan (Ritual of a thousand names) (Page 122)
  - Siddhachakra Vidhan (Ritual of the Siddhachakra Mandala) (Page 123)
  - Kailash Parvat ki Mangal Aarti (Aarti for Mount Kailash) (Page 124)
  - Jambudvipa ki Aarti (Aarti for Jambudvipa, the central continent) (Page 137)
  - Tirthankar Panchkalyanak Bhumi ki Aarti (Aarti for lands where Tirthankaras have their five life events) (Page 138)
  - Tetherdvipa Rachna ki Aarti (Aarti for the thirteen islands) (Page 139)
  - Dashadharma ki Aarti (Aarti for the ten virtues) (Page 140)
  - Dharanendra Dev ki Mangal Aarti (Aarti for the Yaksha deity Dharanendra) (Page 141)
  - Nandishwar Parv ki Aarti (Aarti for Nandishwar Island) (Page 143)
  - Mangal Aarti (General auspicious Aarti) (Page 144)
  - Pavapuri Siddhaksetra Vandana (Salutations to Pavapuri) (Page 148)
  - Hrim Pratima ki Aarti (Aarti for the Hrim syllable/symbol) (Page 165)

Key Themes and Practices:

Devotion (Bhakti): The core of the collection is devotional expression towards the divine in Jainism.
Praise and Glorification: The aartis are used to praise the virtues, powers, and life events of the Tirthankaras and other revered beings.
Auspiciousness and Well-being: Aartis are believed to bring auspiciousness, remove obstacles, grant prosperity, and lead to spiritual liberation.
Ritual and Ceremony: The collection serves as a guide for performing religious ceremonies and rituals.
Spiritual Guidance: Many aartis contain messages of renunciation, detachment, and the path to moksha.

In essence, "Jain Aarti Sangraha" is a comprehensive guide to devotional singing in Jainism, covering a vast array of important figures, sacred sites, and spiritual practices, aiming to inspire faith, devotion, and spiritual progress among its readers.