Panchstotra Sangrah

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain texts, "Panchstotra Sangrah," "Kalyanmandir Stotra," "Vishapahar Stotra," "Jinchaturbhishika Stotra," and "Ekibhav Stotra," based on the Hindi and Sanskrit content provided:

Panchstotra Sangrah (Compilation of Five Stotras)

This compilation, published by Bharat Varshiya Anekant Vidwat Parishad and translated by Dr. (Pandit) Pannalalji Sahityacharya and Aryaika Syadvadmati Mataji, contains prayers in praise of various Tirthankaras and deities. The initial pages delve into the historical context and authorship of the Bhaktamar Stotra.

• Bhaktamar Stotra Introduction: The text narrates the story of King Bhoj of Ujjain, his appreciation for Sanskrit, and his interactions with the poet Dhananjay, who was insulted by the famous poet Kalidas. This rivalry escalated, leading to a challenge to debate the Jain sage Mantungacharya. When Mantungacharya refused to come to the royal court, he was forcibly brought there. Despite the king's attempts to make him speak, Mantungacharya remained silent, leading the king to imprison him. In prison, Mantungacharya composed the Bhaktamar Stotra (also known as the Adinath Stotra). The recitation of this stotra broke his shackles and opened the prison doors. Ultimately, King Bhoj was impressed by Mantungacharya's spiritual power, took Jain vows, and promoted Jainism in his kingdom. The compilation includes the original Sanskrit text, a Sanskrit commentary (by Chandrakirti), a Hindi poetic translation (by Pt. Girdhar Sharma), and a word-by-word meaning (Anvayarth and Bhavarth) by Pt. Pannalalji. The Bhaktamar Stotra itself is a detailed praise of Lord Rishabhanatha (Adinath), highlighting his virtues, divine powers, and the transformative effect of his teachings and presence, often using natural phenomena and metaphors to illustrate his greatness.

• Other Stotras (Implied): While the provided text heavily focuses on the Bhaktamar Stotra's history and verses, the title "Panchstotra Sangrah" indicates the presence of four other stotras. Based on the initial page listing, these are likely:

  • Kalyanmandir Stotra
  • Vishapahar Stotra
  • Jimchatursvinash Stotra (likely a variation or misprint of Jin-related stotra)
  • Ekibhav Stotra
  • Akalanka Stotra
  • Saraswati Stotra

Kalyanmandir Stotra (Temple of Welfare)

Authored by Shri Kumudchandracharya (also believed to be Siddhasena Divakara), this stotra is a popular composition in the Vasantatilaka meter, similar in popularity to the Bhaktamar Stotra. It comprises 44 verses and is dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara.

• Content and Themes: The stotra describes Lord Parshvanatha's compassionate nature, his ability to grant fearlessness to the terrified, his spotless character, and his role as a ferryman across the ocean of existence (samsara). The verses often use evocative imagery and analogies, such as comparing the Lord's feet to lotuses and his teachings to the life-giving essence of water. The author expresses his own limitations in fully praising the Lord, akin to a child trying to measure the ocean, but proceeds with devotion. The stotra emphasizes the power of devotion, the eradication of sins, the destruction of karma's bonds, and the ultimate attainment of liberation through contemplating the Lord. It also highlights the Lord's inherent purity and his role in dispelling ignorance and suffering. The text includes an anecdote about Lord Parshvanatha's power when his image miraculously emerged, signifying the author's devotion.

Vishapahar Stotra (Destroyer of Poison)

Composed by the great poet Dhananjaya (7th-8th century CE), author of the Dvishandhan Mahakavya and Dhananjaya Namamala, this stotra praises Lord Rishabhanatha (Adinatha).

• Origin Story and Themes: The stotra's composition is linked to a dramatic event in Dhananjaya's life. His son was bitten by a venomous snake while Dhananjaya was engrossed in worship. Despite urgent pleas, he remained absorbed in worship, realizing the need to demonstrate the power of Jain devotion to the world. He then composed the Vishapahar Stotra. The verses emphasize that the Lord himself is the true remedy for all poisons—physical, mental, and spiritual (sins, karma). It highlights that the Lord's name, virtues, and presence are equivalent to life-giving medicines and mantras. The stotra declares the Lord's omnipotence and his role as the ultimate healer and savior from the poison of samsara. The narrative culminates in the Lord's grace curing the child. The stotra is characterized by its profound spiritual depth, poetic beauty, and intricate wordplay.

Jinchaturbhishika Stotra (Praise of the 24 Jinanas)

This stotra is attributed to Kavi Bhupal, son of King Hemvan. The narrative behind its creation involves Bhupal, who, despite diligent study, struggled to gain knowledge, unlike his brother Bhujpal. Discouraged by ridicule, Bhupal received divine inspiration from Goddess Brahmi after performing a mantra. This revitalized his intellect, transforming him into a learned scholar and poet.

• Themes and Content: The stotra praises the Tirthankaras, particularly highlighting the benefits of their darshan (visual contact/sight). It emphasizes that seeing the Tirthankaras leads to auspiciousness, prosperity, fame, and ultimately liberation. The stotra uses metaphors like the Tirthankaras being like the sun that dispels the darkness of ignorance or like shady trees in the desert of samsara, offering solace and guidance. It also touches upon the Tirthankaras' detachment from worldly possessions and their ability to overcome even the strongest afflictions like the three cities of the Tripurari. The stotra concludes by stating that the Tirthankaras are the true source of all auspiciousness, and their worship leads to the highest spiritual attainment.

Ekibhav Stotra (Stotra of Unity/Oneness)

Authored by Acharya Vadiraju, a prominent scholar of the 11th century, this stotra is dedicated to the concept of Ekibhav (oneness or absorption in the divine).

• Historical Context and Themes: The stotra was composed during a period when Acharya Vadiraju, afflicted by leprosy, sought refuge in his devotion to the Lord. The text describes how the Lord's grace, through meditation and prayer, miraculously healed his affliction. The stotra explores themes of the Lord's absolute supremacy, his detachment from worldly desires, and his power to overcome all obstacles, including suffering and karma. It contrasts the Lord's pure and eternal nature with the flawed and dependent characteristics of other deities. The stotra emphasizes the concept of "being one with the divine" through deep devotion and meditation, leading to spiritual liberation. It also highlights the transformative power of Jainism and the invalidity of other religious practices when compared to the true path shown by the Tirthankaras. The stotra often uses logical arguments and philosophical discussions to establish the unique position of the Jinamuni.

Overall Summary:

The "Panchstotra Sangrah" is a rich repository of Jain devotional literature. The collection, through the various stotras, underscores several core Jain tenets:

• The Supremacy of Tirthankaras: All stotras emphasize the Tirthankaras (especially Adinath and Parshvanatha) as the highest beings, the true saviors from suffering, and the ultimate source of knowledge and liberation.
• The Power of Devotion and Bhakti: The texts repeatedly highlight that sincere devotion, remembrance, and worship of the Tirthankaras can overcome all obstacles, cure diseases, destroy karma, and lead to ultimate bliss and liberation.
• The Nature of True Divinity: The stotras critically examine and differentiate the Jain ideal of divinity (characterized by omniscience, omniscience, compassion, detachment, and freedom from all worldly afflictions) from the attributes of deities in other traditions, pointing out their inherent flaws and limitations.
• The Path to Liberation: The stotras present devotion to the Jinamuni, adherence to the teachings of Jainism (like the Nine Principles, the importance of right faith, knowledge, and conduct), and meditation as the means to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
• The Transformative Power of the Teachings: The texts showcase the miraculous power of Jain teachings and the spiritual prowess of Jain monks, as exemplified in the story of Mantungacharya and Acharya Vadiraju.

The compilation serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding Jain devotional practices, philosophy, and history, offering solace, inspiration, and a path to spiritual upliftment.