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Kalyan Mandir Stotra

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Kalyan Mandir Stotra

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the "Kalyan Mandir Stotra" based on the provided text:

Book Title: Kalyan Mandir Stotra Author(s): Saryu R Mehta (commentary on the original text by Shri Siddhsena Divakarsuri) Publisher: Asiatik Charitable Trust

Overview:

The Kalyan Mandir Stotra, originally composed by Shri Siddhsena Divakarsuri, is a highly influential Jain hymn, akin to the Bhaktamar Stotra. The commentary by Saryu R Mehta highlights its profound significance. The stotra is believed to be a powerful tool for achieving spiritual well-being and ultimate liberation (Kalyan). Its regular and devout recitation is said to illuminate the path to moksha, filled with the essence of devotion. The name "Kalyan Mandir" itself suggests a sacred space offering multifaceted welfare and peace.

Author and Origin:

  • Shri Siddhsena Divakarsuri: The original author of the Kalyan Mandir Stotra. Information about his exact composition period and reasons for its creation is not definitively established, often relying on oral traditions and interpretations from ancient Jain texts like Prabandh Chintamani and Shri Prabhavak Charitra.
  • Commentary by Saryu R Mehta: This particular publication features a detailed commentary by Saryu R Mehta, aiming to explain the intricate meanings and profound insights within the stotra.
  • Purpose of the Stotra: The text suggests that the stotra was composed due to a specific event. A popular narrative describes Siddhsena Divakarsuri residing in a Shiva temple. To protect the hidden idol of Lord Parshvanath from disrespect (by placing his feet towards the lingam), he justified his action by explaining that the lingam concealed the image of Parshvanath. This incident is said to have inspired the creation of the stotra, with its thirteenth verse miraculously revealing the hidden idol, thus appeasing the king and populace.

Key Themes and Content:

The stotra is a eulogy dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. It extols his virtues, powers, and the miracles associated with him. The text can be broadly divided into several sections:

  1. MANGALCHARAN (Invocation): The stotra begins with prayers and invocations, establishing the purpose and seeking blessings for the recitation. The author humbly expresses his own limitations while embarking on the task of praising the Lord, comparing himself to a child trying to measure the ocean.

  2. Praise of Lord Parshvanath's Qualities:

    • The Abode of Welfare: The stotra describes Lord Parshvanath as the "Kalyan Mandir" (temple of welfare), a generous giver who grants desires and offers solace to the fearful and afflicted.
    • Transcendence and Purity: He is praised for conquering anger, effortlessly destroying karmic bonds, and embodying a state beyond the reach of even yogis to fully describe.
    • Overcoming Obstacles: The stotra highlights Lord Parshvanath's ability to overcome powerful adversaries, like the demon Kamatha, and his inherent purity and unattached nature.
    • Grace and Compassion: His presence is described as bringing peace and liberation, capable of transforming even the seemingly insignificant into the extraordinary.
    • The Essence of True Devotion: The stotra emphasizes that true devotion and faith in the Lord's teachings are crucial for spiritual progress.
    • Miracles and Divine Intervention: The text references instances of divine intervention and miracles attributed to Lord Parshvanath, such as the appearance of his idol from the earth and the subduing of powerful beings.

  3. The Power of Devotion and Meditation:

    • Attaining the Divine State: The stotra emphasizes that through meditation and devotion, devotees can attain a state of spiritual perfection and union with the divine.
    • The Impact of Lord's Presence: It illustrates how the Lord's presence can inspire awe, quell fears, and elevate all beings, from trees to humans, towards a higher consciousness.
    • The Significance of Remembering the Lord: The power of remembering Lord Parshvanath's name is presented as a protective shield against calamities, akin to a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
    • The Role of Intention: The text stresses that the purity of intention and the depth of devotion are more important than mere ritualistic actions.

  4. The Path to Liberation:

    • Overcoming Karmic Bonds: The stotra explains how devotion and right understanding can help sever karmic ties and lead to liberation.
    • The Importance of Renunciation: It subtly advocates for detachment from worldly pleasures and the pursuit of the soul's true nature.
    • The Ultimate Goal: The ultimate aim is to merge with the divine consciousness, shedding the physical form and attaining eternal bliss.

  5. Literary and Philosophical Aspects:

    • Rich Metaphors and Similes: The stotra employs vivid imagery, comparisons with nature (ocean, lotus, sun, moon, clouds), and philosophical concepts to convey its message.
    • The Paradoxical Nature of Divine Power: The text explores seemingly contradictory attributes of the divine, highlighting how they are understood through a higher, spiritual perspective (e.g., the Lord being transcendent yet accessible).
    • The Significance of a True Guru: The importance of a true spiritual guide (like Lord Parshvanath) in navigating the complexities of spiritual growth is underscored.
    • The Power of Faith and Devotion: Throughout the stotra, the transformative power of unwavering faith, devotion, and pure intention is consistently emphasized.

Commentary's Focus:

The commentary by Saryu R Mehta aims to:

  • Elaborate on the meaning of each verse.
  • Explain the historical and narrative context of the stotra's creation.
  • Highlight the spiritual lessons and practical guidance embedded within the hymns.
  • Underscore the transformative power of reciting and meditating upon the stotra.

Overall Message:

The Kalyan Mandir Stotra, through its profound verses and the insightful commentary, serves as a guide for spiritual seekers, offering solace, strength, and a clear path towards achieving ultimate liberation. It emphasizes the importance of devotion, right knowledge, and unwavering faith in overcoming worldly suffering and attaining spiritual bliss. The stotra is considered a sacred treasure within Jainism, believed to bring about spiritual upliftment and ultimate welfare for its devoted readers and reciters.