Jin Samasta Ardhyavali Sangraha

The Jain text "Jin Samasta Ardhyavali Sangraha" is a comprehensive compilation of devotional prayers and rituals (ardha) dedicated to various Jain deities, particularly the Tirthankaras (Jinas). Based on the provided pages, here is a summary of its content and structure:

Overall Purpose:

The primary purpose of this collection is to provide a ready resource for Jain devotees to perform pujas (worship) and offer arghas (ritual offerings) to the Jinas and other revered figures and concepts within Jainism. It serves as a guide for devotional practices, offering specific verses and mantras for each object of worship.

Key Contents and Structure:

The book is structured as a directory and compilation of various pujas and ardhas, often attributed to different composers or originating from specific locations. The table of contents reveals a systematic organization:

• Introduction: It begins with prayers or invocations to the Dev-Shastra-Guru (God, Scripture, and Preceptors), the fundamental pillars of Jain faith.
• Tirthankaras: A significant portion is dedicated to the Twenty Present Tirthankaras (Vidyaman Vims Tirthankar). The collection then systematically presents ardhas for each of the 24 Tirthankaras, starting with Shri Adinath (Rishabhadeva) and proceeding through the lineage.
• Other Important Figures and Concepts:
  • Kritrima-Akritrima Chaityalayas: Prayers for both artificially created and naturally occurring temples.
  • Siddha Paramatma (Sanskrit & Language): Prayers for the Siddhas, the liberated souls.
  • Siddha Kshetras: A notable section lists and provides prayers for numerous Siddha Kshetras (pilgrimage sites where Tirthankaras or many monks attained liberation). This indicates a focus on the geography of Jain pilgrimage.
  • Sovereign Mantras (Sanskrit & Hindi Mixed): Inclusion of powerful mantras for devotional purposes.
  • Specific Pujas: The text also includes specialized pujas dedicated to:
    • Shri Adhinath Jin: A considerable number of pujas for the first Tirthankara are listed, often associated with specific locations or composers.
    • Other Tirthankaras: Pujas for many other Tirthankaras, highlighting specific devotional traditions or sites.
    • Saraswati Mata: Worship of the goddess of knowledge.
    • Bahubali Swami: Prayers for the great ascetic Bahubali.
    • Pancha Kalyanaka: Rituals related to the five auspicious events in a Tirthankara's life.
    • Thirty Chovisi: Prayers related to the Jinas from thirty sets of 24 Tirthankaras.
    • Dasalaxana Dharma: Prayers for the ten virtues of Jainism.
    • Sola Karana Bhavana: Prayers related to the sixteen causative virtues.
    • Rattnatraya (Sammyak Darshan, Sammyak Gyan, Sammyak Charitra): Worship of the Three Jewels of Jainism.
    • Pancha Parameshthi: Prayers for the five supreme beings (Arhant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).
    • Various other specific prayers and compilations.
• Attributions: Many pujas and ardhas are attributed to specific authors or rachayitas (composers), such as Shri Vrindavan, Shri Ramchandra Ji, Kavi Manaranglal, Kavi Shri Yugalji, Kavi Dhyanataray, and many others. This highlights the rich tradition of Jain devotional literature.
• Mantra Structure: The ardhas typically follow a pattern, starting with an invocation (e.g., "Om Hreem...") and then presenting verses describing the worship with the eight substances (water, sandalwood, rice, flowers, incense, lamp, fruit, and offering).

Themes and Devotional Focus:

• Eulogy of Jinas: The core of the text is the glorification of the Tirthankaras, recognizing their virtues, their role as saviors, and their attainment of liberation.
• Aspiration for Liberation (Moksha): The verses frequently express the devotee's desire for liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and the attainment of the "unbreakable/precious state" (anarghya pada).
• Devotion and Faith: The emphasis is on sincere devotion, faith, and the offering of worship with pure intentions.
• Merit and Auspiciousness: The act of worship is understood to accrue merit and bring auspiciousness.
• Lineage of Teachers and Composers: The attributions showcase the transmission of devotional practices through a lineage of Jain scholars and poets.

In essence, "Jin Samasta Ardhyavali Sangraha" is a devotional encyclopedia for Jain worship, providing a rich collection of verses and prayers for various aspects of Jain spiritual practice, with a particular focus on the worship of the Tirthankaras and the aspiration for spiritual liberation.