Rushabhni Shobha Hu Shi Kahu

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rushabhni Shobha Hu Shi Kahu":

Book Title: Rushabhni Shobha Hu Shi Kahu (How Shall I Describe the Splendor of Rushabh?) Author(s): Chirantanacharya (Original Composition), Dhurandharvijayji Maharaj (Gujarati Translation/Adaptation) Publisher: Shrutgyan Prasarak Sabha

Overall Theme: The book is a devotional work focused on Lord Rishabhdeva, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. It aims to inspire awe and veneration by describing key events and aspects of his life through a series of hymns or stotras.

Origin and Publication:

• The original composition is attributed to Chirantanacharya and was written in Prakrit.
• The first verse of this Prakrit composition is commonly recited in Jain temples during the Snatra ritual.
• The complete stotra was discovered on a single page manuscript from the library of the Upashray of Pagathiya.
• Acharya Shri Pradyumansuri Maharaj edited and published this stotra in a quarterly magazine called "Anusandhan."
• Muniraj Shri Dhurandharvijayji Maharaj, while residing in Navadisa during his Chaturmas, saw this stotra. Being a skilled poet himself, he felt inspired to translate it into Gujarati verse, specifically in the "Harigeet" meter.
• The resulting Gujarati translation was found to be so captivating that it inspired a strong desire to sing it.
• The book was published by Shrutgyan Prasarak Sabha. The second edition was printed in 2010 with 1000 copies. It was first published in Vikram Samvat 2059 (Ashwin month) by Devakinandan Jain Sangh, Ahmedabad. The price of the first edition was ₹6.00.

Content and Structure: The core of the book consists of 21 verses (stotras), each beginning with the phrase "Te dhanna jehiñ ditthosi" (Blessed are they who saw you) or a similar sentiment. These verses narrate significant moments and attributes of Lord Rishabhdeva's life, highlighting the blessings of those who witnessed these events.

The verses cover:

1. Birth and Abhishek: Describing the divine birth and the ceremonial bath (abhishek) performed by celestial beings and gods on Mount Meru with golden pitchers.
2. Indra's Marriage Ceremony: Recounting how King Indra arranged the marriage of Rishabhdeva with Sumangala and Sunanda, creating a divine wedding ceremony.
3. Coronation and Abhishek in Vinita: Detailing the coronation in the city of Vinita, where even the divine beings participated, and the unique abhishek performed by the royal couple with just their thumbs.
4. Renunciation (Diksha): Describing the act of giving away wealth and renouncing the kingdom, the very first such event by the "Guru of the world," emphasizing the significance of his departure from worldly life.
5. Ascent to Siddartha Forest: Depicting Rishabhdeva, adorned in a royal palanquin, being carried by gods, kings, and deities to the forest for his ascetic practices.
6. The First Initiation and Hair Plucking: Mentioning the words spoken by Indra that led to the act of plucking hair (chumuchhi loch) and the subsequent adoption of great vows.
7. Aesthetic Splendor: Describing his golden-hued body radiating light, which illuminated the surrounding forests during his wanderings. Even animals are considered blessed for witnessing this.
8. The Salvation of Nami and Vinami: Narrating how the brothers Nami and Vinami achieved ultimate spiritual liberation by dedicating themselves to Rishabhdeva's lotus feet.
9. The First Alms-giving: Highlighting the significant event at Hastinapur where Lord Rishabhdeva broke his fast by accepting sugarcane juice (ikshu ras) from King Shreyans.
10. Divine Wealth Shower: Describing the shower of wealth (twelve and a half crore gold coins) by the gods as a mark of respect during his first alms-seeking.
11. Austerities: Detailing the rigorous penances undertaken by Rishabhdeva, such as fasting for six days, ten days, twelve days, and month-long fasts.
12. Kayotsarga (Self-meditation): Illustrating him standing in a meditative posture with arms outstretched, body stable, and mind serene, engaged in selfless contemplation.
13. Attainment of Kevala Jnana: Describing the place of his enlightenment – under a banyan tree in the city of Purimitara (Ayodhya) – where he attained omniscience after deep meditation.
14. Walking on Lotus Feet: Depicting him walking on golden lotuses, symbolizing his pure and divine footsteps that enlightened the world like a blossoming lotus garden.
15. Preaching Dharma: Portraying him seated on a golden throne, surrounded by celestial beings, delivering sermons on Dharma (righteousness).
16. Veneration by Devotees: Emphasizing the blessedness of those who worshipped him, especially those who venerated him during his Kevala Jnana (omniscience).
17. The Essence of Darshan: Stating that seeing Rishabhdeva is only possible for the blessed; those who do not see him have a futile human existence.
18. Dispelling Delusion: Highlighting his role in opening the "deluded eyes" of beings in all three worlds, which were clouded by the darkness of false beliefs (mithyatva).
19. Nirvana: Describing his liberation (moksha) from the pinnacle of Mount Ashtapad, along with ten thousand ascetic monks, after observing fourteen vows.
20. Panch Kalyanaka Celebrations: Recognizing the blessedness of those who participated in the joyous celebrations of his five auspicious events (birth, renunciation, omniscience, nirvana, and the cycle of existence itself).
21. A Prayer for Guidance: Concluding with a heartfelt prayer from the poet, acknowledging his own ignorance but expressing immense devotion and seeking guidance to attain his divine teachings in future lives.

Additional Sections: The book also includes:

• A preface by the publisher: Explaining the origin of the stotra, its discovery, translation by Dhurandharvijayji Maharaj, and the appreciation it received, leading to the second edition.
• A "Chaitra Vandan" (Temple Worship Hymn): A separate, shorter hymn dedicated to Lord Rishabhdeva, describing his childhood, marriage, renunciation, attainment of Kevala Jnana, and Nirvana, and mentioning the worship by Bharata and the praise sung by Udayan of Guru Vijayprabhsuriji.
• An "Ashtak" (Eight-Verse Hymn): This section describes the inspiration for Acharya Vijay Hemchandrasuriji Maharaj to compose an Ashtak, starting with a verse he found in an ancient manuscript. This Ashtak is also dedicated to Lord Rishabhdeva, praising his divine qualities and the benefits of worshipping him. The Ashtak uses a "Dutvilambita" meter and reiterates the theme of "Namo Namah Shri Rishabhaya."

Overall Message: The book emphasizes the profound significance of Lord Rishabhdeva's life and teachings. It repeatedly stresses that witnessing his presence, his actions, and his enlightenment brings immense spiritual merit and that true human existence is fulfilled by gaining his darshan (vision) and following his path. The devotional tone is palpable throughout, celebrating the "splendor" of the first Tirthankara.