Parshwanath Stavanam

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Parshwanath Stavanam" by Shilchandrasuri, based on the provided pages:

The text is a devotional hymn (Stavanam) dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism. It is composed by Upadhyay Shri Sakalchandragani, a prominent scholar, poet, and ascetic of the 16th-17th century.

Key aspects of the Stavanam and its context:

• Author and His Significance: Upadhyay Shri Sakalchandragani is described as a remarkable scholar, poet, and ascetic. He wrote extensively in Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Gujarati. His works have been published in various issues of "Anusandhan," and this specific composition is presented as a unique and noteworthy poetic creation.

• Inspiration and Style: The hymn is composed in the style of the widely chanted Ajit Shanti Stotra. However, it is shorter, consisting of only 30 verses (slokas/gathas), and employs diverse meters. The subject matter is exclusively the glorification of Lord Parshvanatha. The author is lauded for his refined vocabulary, masterful composition, pleasing and sweet style, and clear yet sophisticated language.

• Linguistic and Metrical Innovation:

  • While the "Ajit Shanti" stotras are typically composed in Prakrit, Sakalchandragani chose to compose this hymn in Sanskrit.
  • The meters generally resemble those of "Ajit Shanti," but the author's creative genius is evident in their application.
  • Specific examples of metrical brilliance include:
    • Verse 5: A combined usage of two meters, described as a novel form of the "Upajati" meter.
    • Verses 15 and 21: The composer employs unique metrical structures named "Ghatitgadyavisheshak".
  • The text is largely complete, with only a few instances of fragmented passages noted.

• Content and Devotion:

  • The hymn extols the virtues and divine qualities of Lord Parshvanatha.
  • It describes him as the remover of worldly suffering, the destroyer of karma, the source of spiritual knowledge, and the dispeller of darkness (ignorance).
  • Verses invoke his immense power, compassion, and auspicious presence.
  • Several verses describe the devotion of celestial beings and humans towards him, highlighting his supreme status.
  • Specific episodes or attributes of Lord Parshvanatha are alluded to, such as his association with the serpent (referencing the Naga lineage) and his enlightenment under a tree.
  • The composer expresses his personal devotion, seeking the Lord's grace and divine presence.

• Attribution and Colophon:

  • Verse 30 explicitly mentions the composer's name, Sakalchandra, and his guru, Vijaydansuri.
  • The colophon at the end confirms the completion of the "Shri Parshvanatha Stavanam" in the style of "Shri Ajit Shanti Stavanachhandoritya."
  • It also states that the manuscript was copied in the year Samvat 1824 (1767/1768 AD) by a monk named Dansaubhagya. The original source manuscript's location is unknown.

In essence, "Parshwanath Stavanam" is a significant devotional work in Sanskrit by a renowned Jain scholar, skillfully composed in varied meters in the tradition of "Ajit Shanti" stotras, celebrating the glory and virtues of Lord Parshvanatha.