Prabha Raivat Charitra Prachin Stavanavali

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shri Prabha-Raivat Charitra Prachin Stavanavali," based on the provided pages:

Title: Shri Prabha-Raivat Charitra Prachin Stavanavali (Collection of Ancient Stotras of Prabha-Raivat Charitra)

Author/Editor: Master Ramchand D. Shah, Chief Professor at Shri T. A. Sankhubhai Jain Pathshala and Shri Chhaganbhai Jain Shravikashala, Cambay.

Publisher: Shri Jasvantlal Girdharlal Shah, Ahmedabad.

Dedication: The book is dedicated to the lotus feet of the revered Guruṇī Mahārāja Shri Prabhāshrījī Mahārāja, disciple of Shri Revatijī Mahārāja, and disciple of Charitraśrījī Mahārāja. It is a gift from the late Shri Chimanlal Vadilal Shah of Cambay, as instructed by Charitraśrījī Mahārāja.

Edition and Publication Year: Second edition, Veer Samvat 2491 (Vikram Samvat 2021).

Key Themes and Content:

The book is a collection of ancient Jain stotras (devotional songs/prayers), stutis (praise hymns), and sūjjhāyas (songs depicting life stories or teachings). The preface (page 4) emphasizes the importance of a preface to introduce a book's content, utility, and purpose. It describes the book as a compilation of "voices from the heart" filled with devotion to God and profound spiritual secrets woven into an accessible and enjoyable narrative.

Theological and Philosophical Aspects:

• Devotion and Surrender: The text highlights the human emotional and devotional nature, suggesting that even a child-like approach is suitable for spiritual seekers exploring the depths of the soul. The collection contains "prayers from the heart" and expressions of profound devotion.
• Spiritual Secrets and Understanding: The stotras are designed to convey deep spiritual truths and principles that might otherwise require extensive study of scriptures. They aim to make these profound concepts understandable through an enjoyable and playful approach.
• Gūṇagān (Praise of Virtues): The text emphasizes the human inclination to praise nature and great souls, leading to the singing of stotras and the worship of specific individuals. It suggests that through such devotion, faith in the Vītarāgas (passionless ones) strengthens, and individuals can themselves become Vītarāgas.
• Sūjjhāyas and Character Portrayals: The book includes a collection of sūjjhāyas, which are distinct from stotras in that they often depict the lives of influential individuals like Amakā, Subhadrā, and Kalāvatī, offering insights into their virtuous lives. These sūjjhāyas are considered instrumental in filling one's life with the essence of Moksha (liberation).
• Ancient and Experienced Wisdom: The stotras and sūjjhāyas are presented as ancient, not modern, compositions. They are the creation of great yogis and ascetics who delved into the depths of the soul, transcending worldly complexities. They represent the experiential wisdom of intense spiritual practitioners.
• Spiritual Guidance and Problem Solving: The collection aims to help readers overcome spiritual challenges and find solutions to life's problems through its verses. The preface encourages memorizing and internalizing these stotras and sūjjhāyas to become a seeker of Moksha and to help others on this path.

Biographical Information and Dedication:

• Shri Prabhāshrījī Mahārāj: The book is dedicated to the highly virtuous and knowledgeable Sadhvi Shri Prabhāshrījī Mahārāj. Her brief life sketch (pages 16-18) reveals she was born in Cambay, married at a young age, and after her husband's untimely death, dedicated herself to spiritual study and practice. She attained initiation under Acharya Shri Vimalabdhisūrīśvarjī Mahārāj and became a disciple of Sadhvi Shri Chapāshrījī Mahārāj. She was known for her profound knowledge, humility, effective spiritual guidance, and the large community of disciples she nurtured. She passed away in Ahmedabad in Samvat 2013.
• Shri Chimanlal Vadilal: A brief life sketch (pages 25-29) is provided for Shri Chimanlal Vadilal, the sponsor of the book. He was a prominent and philanthropic resident of Cambay, known for his devotion to the Jain faith, social service, and contributions to various religious and charitable institutions. He passed away due to a motor accident in Samvat 2021.
• Other Revered Figures: The book also mentions and honors other spiritual leaders, including Āchārya Shri Vijaynemisūriśvarjī Mahārāj (page 11), Shri V. Nandan Sūrīśvarjī, and Gaṇi Shri Dhurandharvijayjī (page 13), and Sadhvi Shri Revatshrījī Mahārāj (page 19).

Structure and Content Breakdown:

The book includes various sections such as:

• Chaityavandan (Temple Worship): Prayers and hymns dedicated to various Tirthankaras and sacred sites (pages 29-53).
• Stavan-Dhal Vibhag (Stotras with specific meters/tunes): A significant portion of the book comprises stotras, often organized by the deity or theme being praised, with detailed listings of the individual stotras and their corresponding page numbers (pages 30-105).
• Sajjhay Vibhag (Sūjjhāyas - Life Stories/Teachings): This section contains songs narrating the lives and teachings of various Jain figures and concepts, further elaborating on the spiritual and moral lessons (pages 276-379).
• Stuti Vibhag (Praise Hymns): Prayers specifically dedicated to deities like Sarasvatī Devī, Pārśvanātha (various forms), and Maṇibhadraji (pages 38-41).
• Shuddhi Patrak (Correction Sheet): A list of corrections for inaccuracies found in the text (page 36).

Overall Purpose:

"Shri Prabha-Raivat Charitra Prachin Stavanavali" is a valuable resource for Jain devotional practice, offering ancient prayers, hymns, and life stories that aim to deepen faith, provide spiritual guidance, and lead readers towards Moksha. The collection is a testament to the rich devotional literature within Jainism, presented with the intention of making spiritual learning accessible and inspiring.