Jain Shatak

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Shatak" by Mahakavi Bhudhardas, edited and translated by Dr. Veer Sagar Jain.

Book Title: Jain Shatak (जैन शतक) Author: Mahakavi Bhudhardas (महाकवि भूधरदास) Editor & Translator: Dr. Veer Sagar Jain (डॉ० वीरसागर जैन) Publisher: Shri Digambar Jain Mumukshu Mandal, Mumbai & Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur.

Overall Purpose: The "Jain Shatak" is a collection of 107 verses (kavitt, dohe, savaiye, and chhappay) that poetically encapsulates the core tenets and philosophy of Jainism. It aims to inspire detachment from worldly affairs, guide towards righteousness, and ultimately lead to spiritual liberation (moksha). The verses cover a wide range of topics from the glories of Tirthankaras and spiritual practices to warnings against worldly attachments and vices.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Praise and Glorification of Tirthankaras and Siddhas:

   • The Shatak begins with verses of praise for the Tirthankaras, starting with Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath) and proceeding through Lord Chandrprabh, Shantinath, Neminath, Parshvanath, and Lord Mahavir.
   • These verses highlight their divine qualities, compassion, renunciation, and their role in guiding humanity.
   • There are also verses glorifying the Siddhas (liberated souls) residing in Moksha.

2. Admonitions Against Worldly Attachments and Vices:

   • A significant portion of the Shatak focuses on discouraging attachment to worldly possessions, sensual pleasures, and family life.
   • It vividly describes the transient nature of life, the inevitability of old age and death, and the suffering inherent in the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
   • The text strongly condemns various vices, including:
     • Indulgence in sensual pleasures (bhog): Advising against the constant pursuit of new pleasures, highlighting their fleeting nature and eventual suffering.
     • The body: Describing the body as impure and temporary, composed of undesirable elements, and urging detachment from it.
     • Pride and Ego (abhiman): Warning against the arrogance that comes with wealth and status, reminding that fortunes can change.
     • Attachment to wealth: Describing the futility of accumulating vast riches, as they are left behind at death.
     • Youth: Lamenting the waste of youth on sensual pursuits rather than spiritual endeavors.
     • Old Age (budhapa): Portraying the physical decline and helplessness of old age as a stark reminder of the impermanence of life and the urgency of spiritual practice.
     • Attachment to desires (aasha): Depicting desire as an unending river that leads to suffering.
     • Greed (lobha), Anger (krodha), Pride (mana), Deceit (maya): Discussing the destructive nature of these passions and the need to overcome them.
     • Specific Vices: The Shatak explicitly condemns gambling, meat consumption, alcohol consumption, visiting prostitutes, hunting, theft, and adultery. It provides strong arguments and examples against each.

3. Emphasis on Spiritual Practices and Virtues:

   • Renunciation (vairagya): The verses repeatedly advocate for detachment and renunciation as the path to true happiness and liberation.
   • Self-realization (atmanubhav): The importance of introspective experience and understanding one's true self (soul) is highlighted as the essence of spiritual practice.
   • Right Conduct (acharan): The importance of living a righteous life, adhering to ethical principles, and practicing virtues like compassion (daya), truthfulness (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), and control over senses.
   • Six Essential Duties (Shatkarmopadesh): The text lists and explains six essential daily duties for a Jain follower: Dev-puja (worship of the Jina), Guru-upasana (veneration of the Guru), Svadhyaaya (study of scriptures), Sanyam (restraint), Tapa (austerity), and Daan (charity).
   • Guru's Role: The importance of a true spiritual preceptor (Guru) in guiding the disciple is acknowledged.
   • The Importance of Jain Dharma: The verses strongly advocate for Jainism as the only true path to liberation, contrasting it with other paths which are depicted as leading astray or offering no real solution to the cycle of suffering.

4. Literary Style and Structure:

   • The "Jain Shatak" is praised for its beautiful language, captivating style, and profound philosophical content, often described as filling an ocean in a pitcher.
   • The verses are composed in various traditional Indian poetic meters like Kavitt, Doha, Savaiya, and Chhappay, demonstrating Mahakavi Bhudhardas's mastery over language and prosody.
   • The translation by Dr. Veer Sagar Jain aims to make these profound verses accessible and understandable to a wider audience, providing explanations and correcting perceived errors in previous translations.
   • The book includes introductory and concluding remarks, a subject index, and appendices with scholarly opinions on Mahakavi Bhudhardas and his work, enhancing its academic and spiritual value.

Significance of the Translation: Dr. Veer Sagar Jain's translation and commentary are highlighted as a significant effort to present an authentic and improved version of the "Jain Shatak." The preface details the challenges of translating such a text, the importance of consulting various manuscripts, and the inaccuracies found in earlier editions. This new edition aims to be more accurate, better presented, and more deeply insightful, making the timeless wisdom of Mahakavi Bhudhardas accessible to modern readers.

In essence, the "Jain Shatak" is a spiritual and ethical guide, deeply rooted in Jain philosophy, using powerful poetic language to steer individuals away from worldly distractions and towards the ultimate goal of spiritual purification and liberation.