Labdhinidhan Gautamswami - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Labdhinidhan Gautamswami," based on the provided pages:

Title: Labdhinidhan Gautamswami (लब्धिानिधान श्री गौतम स्वामी) Author: Muni Harshbodhivijay (मुनि हर्षबोधिविजय) Publisher: Andheri Jain Sangh (श्री अंधेरी जैन संघ), Shri Tribhuvnabhanu Prakashan (श्री त्रिभुवनभानु प्रकाशन)

Overall Purpose: This book is a collection of prayers, rituals, hymns, stories, and devotional songs dedicated to Shri Gautamswami, the first Ganadhar (chief disciple) of Lord Mahavir Swami. It aims to facilitate the worship and understanding of Gautamswami, particularly in the context of a "28 Labdhipad Tap" (a specific religious observance). The book was published by the Andheri Jain Sangh, Mumbai, in V.S. 2057 (2001 CE), during a Chaturmas where this particular observance was undertaken by the community.

Key Contents and Structure:

The book is structured into various sections, each focusing on a different aspect of Gautamswami's life, teachings, and worship. The table of contents (Page 4) provides a clear outline:

Shri Gautamswami Jaap Vidhi (श्री गौतम स्वामी जाप विधी): This section details the specific mantras and procedures for chanting and invoking Gautamswami. It includes various invocations, protective verses (like Vajrapanjar Stotra), and seed mantras, some of which are quite elaborate.
28 Labdhipad Tap Aradhana Ki Vidhi (२८ लब्धिपद तप आराधना की विधी): This section explains the rituals and practices associated with the "28 Labdhipad Tap." It outlines daily routines, specific pujas (especially for Gautamswami), recitations, and meditation practices. It also mentions that chanting certain mantras 120 times (with a minimum of 20) can help achieve Siddhis (spiritual powers).
Bhaktamar Stotra (भक्तामर स्तोत्र): Specific verses (Gathas 9 to 20) of the renowned Bhaktamar Stotra are included, likely for recitation during the worship.
Labdhi Pad Garbhit Stotra (लब्धि पद गभित स्तोत्र): A stotra that incorporates the names and descriptions of various Siddhis (spiritual powers).
Gautamswami Ashtakam (गौतम स्वामी अष्टकम्): An eight-verse hymn celebrating Gautamswami's life, virtues, and miraculous deeds, with accompanying explanations in Gujarati.
28 Labdhi Pad Ke Naam (२८ लब्धि पद के नाम): A list of the 28 specific Siddhis (powers) that are to be invoked during the tap observance, each with its corresponding mantra. These Siddhis cover a wide range of abilities, from clairvoyance and telepathy to healing and the ability to manifest sustenance.
Gautam Guru Vandana (गौतम गुरु वंदना): Devotional salutations and praises for Gautamswami as a guru.
Gautamswami Ka Raas (गौतम स्वामी का रास): A poetic and narrative account of Gautamswami's life and significant events, presented in a rhythmic style (Raas).
Gautamswami Ke Chaitya-vandan (श्री गौतमस्वामी के चैत्यवंदन): Chaitya-vandans are devotional prayers offered to deities or revered figures, often sung. This section contains such prayers for Gautamswami.
Shri Gautamswami Ke Stavan Evam Geet (श्री गौतमस्वामी के स्तवन एवं गीत): A collection of devotional hymns (stavan) and songs (geet) praising Gautamswami.
Gautamswami Ki Aarti (गोतमस्वामी की आरती): The Aarti, a form of devotional worship with lamps, dedicated to Gautamswami.
Aise The Gautamswami (ऐसे थे गौतमस्वामी): This section likely provides biographical details and highlights the extraordinary qualities and life events of Gautamswami.
Arihant Vandanavali (अरिहंत वंदनावली): Salutations to the Arihants (liberated souls).
Bhavanman Sarishwarji Vandanavali (भवनमान सरीश्वरजी वंदनावली): Salutations to the Bhavanman Sarishwarji (a type of celestial being or deity).

Key Themes and Information about Gautamswami:

First Ganadhar: Gautamswami is consistently referred to as the first Ganadhar of Lord Mahavir.
Son of Vasubhuti and Prithvi: His father was Vasubhuti, a Brahmin, and his mother was Prithvi Devi.
Original Name: Indrabhuti. He became known as Gautamswami due to his Gotra (lineage).
Exceptional Intellect and Knowledge: He was a master of 14 Vidyas (branches of knowledge) in his pre-ascetic life and possessed profound intellect. He is credited with composing the Dvadashangi (Twelve Limbs of Jain Agamas) from the "tripathi" (three basic truths) revealed by Lord Mahavir.
Recipient of Siddhis (Labdhi): The entire book emphasizes his possession of numerous Siddhis (spiritual powers), hence the title "Labdhinidhan" (Repository of Siddhis). The "28 Labdhipad Tap" specifically aims to invoke these Siddhis. Notable among them mentioned are:
- Akshina Mahanas Labdhi: The ability to create immense food from a small quantity, as demonstrated when he fed 1500 ascetics with a small amount of kheer.
- Charan Labdhi: The ability to travel through the sky (as he did to visit Ashtapad Tirth).
- Many other Siddhis: The list of 28 Labdhi Pad details powers like clairvoyance, telepathy, healing, shapeshifting, control over elements, and more.
Humility and Devotion to Mahavir: Despite his immense knowledge and powers, Gautamswami remained exceptionally humble and devoted to Lord Mahavir. He always sought Mahavir's guidance and considered himself a disciple. The anecdote of him apologizing to Anand Shravak for a misunderstanding highlights his humility.
Role in Jain Philosophy: He played a crucial role in the dissemination of Jain teachings by compiling the Dvadashangi, encompassing all the core tenets of Jainism.
Invocations and Worship: The book provides detailed methods for chanting mantras, performing pujas, singing hymns, and meditating on Gautamswami to gain his blessings and spiritual powers.
Miraculous Feats: The text recounts his visit to Ashtapad Tirth via aerial path, his feeding of 1500 ascetics, and his role in converting Devsharma and others.
Connection to Mahavir's Nirvana: The book describes Gautamswami's profound grief and lament upon learning of Lord Mahavir's Nirvana. It was during this period of intense detachment from worldly passions that he attained Kevalgyan (omniscience).

Key Principles Highlighted:

Importance of Faith and Devotion: The entire text underscores the power of devotion and faith in attaining spiritual progress and the blessings of revered souls like Gautamswami.
Significance of Siddhis (Labdhi): The 28 Labdhipad Tap signifies the aspiration for spiritual powers, which are seen as tools for spiritual growth and potentially for benefiting others.
Humility and Knowledge: The book emphasizes that true knowledge is accompanied by humility and a lack of ego.
The Power of Mantras: The detailed Jaap Vidhi highlights the importance of specific mantras in spiritual practice.

Context of Publication:

The book was published by the Andheri Jain Sangh, a prominent Jain community in Mumbai, and dedicated to the welfare of the Sangh members. The publication is a testament to the enduring reverence for Gautamswami within the Jain tradition.

In essence, "Labdhinidhan Gautamswami" serves as a comprehensive guide for the worship and veneration of Lord Mahavir's chief disciple, Gautamswami. It offers a rich collection of devotional material designed to deepen the understanding and experience of his spiritual stature and the Siddhis he possessed, encouraging devotees to emulate his virtues of knowledge, devotion, and humility.