Prachin Stavanavli 10 Shitalnath

This document is a collection of devotional songs (Stavans) and prayers dedicated to Lord Shitalnath, the tenth Tirthankara in Jainism. Here's a comprehensive summary of its content:

Overall Purpose: The book, "Prachin Stavanavli 10 Shitalnath," compiled by Hasmukhbhai Chudgar, is intended to facilitate devotion and spiritual connection to Lord Shitalnath through traditional Jain hymns and rituals.

Key Contents and Structure:

• Title Page and Dedication: The book is titled "Prachin Stavanavli 10 Shitalnath" and is published by Hasmukhbhai Chudgar.
• Introduction and Blessings:
  • Page 2 features a hymn praising the "Namaskar Mahamantra," highlighting its universality and the profound peace it brings.
  • Page 3 provides publication details, including the publisher's address and contact information.
  • Page 4 contains a message from Pandit Nandibhushanvijayji Maharaj, emphasizing the power of devotion to connect the soul with the Supreme Being (Paramatma) and expressing joy in publishing these devotional songs for the benefit of the Jain community.
• Table of Contents (Anukramanika): Pages 5-7 present a detailed index of the devotional songs included in the book. This index lists the composer (Karta) of each song and the corresponding page number, offering a glimpse into the extensive collection. The sheer number of listed songs indicates a deep and diverse tradition of devotional poetry dedicated to Lord Shitalnath.
• Chaitryavandan Vidhi (Ritual for Temple Worship): Pages 8-13 outline the prescribed Jain rituals for visiting a temple and performing worship. This section includes:
  • Iriyavahiyam Sutra: A prayer for forgiveness for any unintended harm caused to living beings while moving.
  • Tassa Uttari Sutra: A prayer for further purification of any remaining karmic residue.
  • Annattha Sutra: A prayer for maintaining the purity of meditation and concentration during the Kaushayag (a form of meditation).
  • Logass Sutra: A prayer that praises the twenty-four Tirthankaras and seeks their blessings.
  • Chaitryavandan Prayer: Specific verses to be recited when circumambulating a temple and offering reverence.
  • Jankinchi Sutra and Namutthane Sutra: Prayers that extend reverence to all Jain idols and the qualities of the Arihants.
  • Javant Cheyi'ai Sutra and Javant kevi Sahu Sutra: Prayers that acknowledge and pay homage to all Jin statues and all Jain monks and nuns across the universe.
  • Namo Ariyasiddhacharyaupadhyay Sarvasadhubhyah: A salutation to the five supreme beings (Panch Parmeshthi).
  • Jay Viryaraay Sutra: A prayer seeking victory and protection from the Tirthankara.
  • Arihant Chey'ai'a' Sutra and Annattha Sutra: Further prayers related to meditation and temple worship.
• Devotional Songs (Stavans) dedicated to Lord Shitalnath: The bulk of the book, starting from Page 14, is a collection of numerous Stavans composed by various esteemed Jain scholars and saints. Each Stavan is a lyrical expression of praise, devotion, and meditation on Lord Shitalnath. The songs cover various aspects of his life and teachings, including:
  • His birth and lineage (King Dradharth and Queen Nanda).
  • His divine qualities (coolness, compassion, knowledge, purity).
  • His life events and his path to liberation.
  • The benefits of meditating on him (peace, happiness, spiritual progress).
  • The beauty of his form and presence.
  • Personal pleas for guidance and liberation.
  • The composers are varied, indicating a rich tradition of Jain devotional literature.
• Biographical Information of Lord Shitalnath: Page 68 provides a summary of Lord Shitalnath's life, including his parents, birthplace, birth star, lifespan, physical attributes, key life events (Chavyan, Janma, Diksha, Kevalgyan, Moksha), and the number of his followers. This section serves as a concise biographical reference.
• Concluding Thoughts: The final pages contain inspirational quotes and messages emphasizing the importance of devotion to the Tirthankaras and the practice of gratitude.

Themes and Significance:

• Devotion (Bhakti): The central theme is unwavering devotion to Lord Shitalnath, expressed through lyrical praise and heartfelt supplication.
• Spiritual Purity and Peace: The name "Shitalnath" itself signifies coolness and peace, and the songs often invoke these qualities, associating them with spiritual liberation.
• Jain Philosophy: The Stavans implicitly and explicitly reflect core Jain principles such as non-violence, detachment, knowledge, and the path to moksha (liberation).
• Guru-Shishya Parampara: The inclusion of Stavans by various saints highlights the lineage of spiritual teachers and their contributions to devotional literature.
• Ritual Purity: The detailed description of the Chaitryavandan Vidhi underscores the importance of performing religious practices with precision and reverence.

In essence, "Prachin Stavanavli 10 Shitalnath" is a valuable resource for Jains seeking to deepen their connection with Lord Shitalnath through devotional music, prayer, and understanding of his life and teachings. It showcases the rich artistic and spiritual heritage within Jainism.