Navgraha Stambhanak Parshwadev Stava

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navgraha Stambhanak Parshwadev Stava" by Amrut Patel:

This document presents a scholarly edition and explanation of the Navgraha-Stambhanak Parshwadev Stava, a Jain hymn dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha, particularly in his manifestation at Stambhan (modern-day Gujarat). The hymn is unique for its clever use of shlesha (puns/double entendre), where the epithets used to praise Lord Parshvanatha are also skillfully applied to the nine celestial bodies (Navagrahas: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu).

Key Aspects and Content:

• Author and Attribution: The author of the Stava is unknown but is estimated to be from the 13th century. The edition and commentary are by Amrut Patel.
• Structure and Content: The hymn consists of 12 verses written in various poetic meters. Each verse praises Lord Parshvanatha using dual meanings that also apply to one or more of the Navagrahas.
• Manuscript and Editions: The primary manuscript used for this edition is a fragmented leaf (folio 70) from Jinashataka by Jambukavi, housed in the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir in Ahmedabad. This manuscript is believed to be from the 16th century. The editor notes that no other manuscript was available for comparison, and details significant textual corrections made based on meter and context.
• Textual Corrections (Page 2):
  1. Verse 2: Corrected 'गोभिर्जनानामपि विस्तृतप्रमोदं' to 'गोभिर्जनानां विसृतप्रमोदं' to fix a metrical issue in the Indravajra meter.
  2. Verse 3: Corrected 'डष्टम्यान्वितो न जननोत्सवेन' to 'ष्टम्यां वितेने जननोत्सवेन' to resolve a metrical flaw in the Upajati meter and improve the meaning.
  3. Verse 4: Corrected 'दृष्ट्या प्रयात्यतुलं फलं य:' to 'दृष्ट्या प्रयच्छत्वतुलं फलं यः' to rectify a missing syllable and make the meaning coherent in the Upajati meter.
  4. Verse 12: Corrected 'इति स्तुतः स्तम्भन सपुरस्थः' to 'इति स्तुतः स्तम्भनसत्पुरस्थितः' to correct a metrical error in the Vamshastha meter and create an end rhyme with the following line.
• The Power of Shlesha (Puns): The core of the hymn lies in the shlesha alankara. Lord Parshvanatha's divine qualities are described using terms that also apply to the characteristics of the Sun, Moon, and other planets. This creates a dazzling display of poetic skill and philosophical depth.
• Commentary (Tippanaka and Bhavanuvaad): The original manuscript includes a Sanskrit commentary (tippanaka), which is described as obscure and concise. Amrut Patel has expanded and clarified this commentary. The document also provides a Bhavanuvaad (conceptual translation) in Gujarati, explaining the dual meanings in each verse.
• Comparison with Another Hymn: The text briefly mentions another hymn, the "Navagraha-stambhagraha Parshva Stava" (10 verses) by Ratnashekhar Suri (a disciple of Somasundar Suri), which also employs shlesha to praise the Navagrahas and Lord Parshvanatha.
• Verse-by-Verse Explanation (with Navagraha parallels):
  • Verse 1: Parshvanatha as the "eye of the world" (like the Sun), free from 18 flaws (like the Sun dispelling darkness). Both are treasuries of radiance and auspiciousness.
  • Verse 2: Parshvanatha as the source of bliss through knowledge (like the Moon's rays delighting people), the refuge of knowledge (like the Moon being a refuge for stars). Both delight the minds of Indra and the owls (associated with the Moon's night). Both are possessed of arts/skills.
  • Verse 3: Parshvanatha attained liberation on the auspicious Ashtami Tithi (like Mars being auspicious and beneficial). Both bring great joy to the earth. Both are auspicious.
  • Verse 4: Parshvanatha, free from obstinacy, bestows incomparable fruits by his mere glance (like Mercury, if free from malefic influences, gives good results). Both are treasuries of arts and pleasing. Both are intelligent and bestow good intellect.
  • Verse 5: Parshvanatha's influence helps virtuous people achieve their desires quickly (like Jupiter in auspicious signs). Both are lords of speech and worshipped by gods. Both bestow eloquence.
  • Verse 6: Parshvanatha's eyes are beautiful and life-giving (like Venus's bright rays). Both are worshipped by children of Diti (demons). Both are worthy of praise, free from karmic impurities, and enlightened. Both dispel troubles.
  • Verse 7: Parshvanatha is immensely powerful and always beneficial (unlike Saturn, which is slow and sometimes considered harsh). Both are worshipped by celestials and vidyadharas. Parshvanatha is free from bodily attachment. Both bring happiness.
  • Verse 8: Parshvanatha, with his face as beautiful as a blue lotus, adorned by the sacred discus and praised by wise people, is saluted. (Parallel is made with Rahu's head being severed by Vishnu's discus, and Rahu's association with water bodies for peace).
  • Verse 9: Parshvanatha, with a blue complexion like Vishnu (who has Garuda as his vehicle), and marked by the symbols of planets, protects from the cycle of birth and death (like Ketu, the ninth planet, being protective).
  • Verse 10: Parshvanatha is praised with epithets of planets but is free from all planetary influences and stubbornness. He is worshipped by Yakshinis like Padmavati and attended by serpent kings. He destroys obstacles.
  • Verse 11 & 12: These verses speak of the efficacy of reciting the hymn, stating that those who devotionally recite it are not troubled by malefic planets, and that Lord Parshvanatha's radiance brings joy to the mind.
• Navagraha Aspects Explained (Page 9): A summary of the astrological significance of each planet, as interpreted through the hymn:
  • Sun: Eye of the world, dispeller of night, associated with wife 'Chhaya' and daughter 'Bhadra', removes cold, makes lotuses bloom.
  • Moon: Popular due to moonlight, pleasing to owls at night, has waxing and waning phases, dispels darkness (interpreted as mental impurity).
  • Mars: Red in color, associated with auspicious yogas on Tuesday Ashtami, son of Earth, auspicious.
  • Mercury: Auspicious glance if free from malefic planets, gentle planet, factor of intellect.
  • Jupiter: Gives quick results in auspicious signs, factor of speech.
  • Venus: Bright planet, second name 'Kavya', gives protection.
  • Saturn: Slow-moving, considered a friend of malefic planets, associated with the ocean.
  • Rahu: Considered the 'head', factor of peace in water signs at appropriate times.
  • Ketu: The ninth planet, dark in color.

In essence, the Navgraha-Stambhanak Parshwadev Stava is a sophisticated devotional work that masterfully blends the worship of Lord Parshvanatha with the astrological lore of the Navagrahas, offering multifaceted praise and spiritual benefit.