Rushimandal Stav Prakaranam - Book Summary

The provided text is the "Rushimandal Stav Prakaranam," authored by Vijaynayvardhansuri and published by Shri Bharatvarshiya Jinshasan Seva Samiti. This Jain text is a collection of verses and their commentary, praising and detailing the lives and achievements of various enlightened beings (Rishis, Mahatmas, Munis, etc.) who lived during the present era of twenty-four Tirthankaras.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the text based on the provided pages:

Core Purpose and Content:

Praise and Veneration: The primary purpose of the "Rushimandal Stav Prakaranam" is to venerate and praise the great souls who have followed the path of Jainism. It aims to inspire readers by highlighting their virtuous lives, austerities, and spiritual attainments.
Biographical Narratives: The text presents brief to detailed accounts of numerous Rishis, Mahatmas, and Munis from the current epoch (Chovishi). This includes both well-known and lesser-known figures.
Spiritual Inspiration: By recounting the lives of these enlightened beings, the text aims to evoke positive emotions and aspirations in the readers, encouraging them to follow a similar path towards spiritual liberation.
Significance of Names: The text emphasizes that merely hearing or reciting the names of these great souls can help dissolve negative karmic bonds, aligning with the concept that remembrance of the virtuous leads to spiritual merit.
Compiling Virtuous Deeds: The author has compiled these accounts from various literary sources, providing a unique opportunity for readers to appreciate the greatness of these Mahapurushas.

Key Themes and Elements:

Tapas (Austerities): Many narratives highlight the intense austerities undertaken by these individuals, such as fasting, self-discipline, and enduring hardships, as crucial for spiritual progress.
Knowledge and Enlightenment: The text often mentions the attainment of Keval-gyan (omniscience) and the mastery of scriptures like the Twelve Angas.
Renunciation: The theme of renouncing worldly possessions, pleasures, and familial attachments is prominent, underscoring the path to liberation.
Overcoming Obstacles (Upsargas): Many stories detail how these great souls faced and overcame formidable challenges and tortures (upsargas) with equanimity and unwavering spiritual resolve.
Devotion to Tirthankaras: The individuals are often depicted as devout followers of the Tirthankaras, drawing inspiration and guidance from them.
Path to Moksha (Liberation): The ultimate goal for these individuals, and consequently for the readers, is the attainment of Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
The Author's Intent: The author expresses a desire that by studying this text, readers will be inspired to offer reverence to these great souls, and this reverence will help them overcome their own shortcomings and move closer to spiritual perfection.

Specific Examples (as seen in the verses):

The text enumerates numerous individuals and their stories, including:

Bharat Chakravarti and Bahubali: Their renunciation and spiritual journeys are mentioned.
Chakravarti Kings: Nine Chakravarti kings, including Sagara, are mentioned as having renounced their kingdoms.
Sanat Kumar: His renunciation and endurance of suffering are described.
Mahabal, Sudarshan, Achal, Ram, and other Baldevas: Their lives and paths to liberation are narrated.
Kings who became Rishis: Stories of kings like Pratibuddha, Chandrachhaya, Shankh, Rukmi, Adishatru, Jitshatru, etc., who renounced their kingdoms are included.
Vishnukumar Muni: His extensive tapas and attainment of powers are highlighted.
Disciples of Skandakacharya: 499 disciples who faced persecution but achieved liberation are mentioned.
Kartik Seth: His spiritual awakening and subsequent path are detailed.
Sukosal and Kirtidhar: Their spiritual journeys are recounted.
Andhak-Vrishni princes: Eight princes who achieved liberation are named.
Rathnemi: His life and spiritual practice are described.
Vasu Dev's sons and Krishna's nephews: The stories of these princes, their renunciations, and their paths to liberation are narrated.
Devaki's sons (Balarama, Vasudeva's nephews): Their renunciation and spiritual achievements are mentioned.
Gajasukumar: His story of renunciation from the Graiveyak heavens and his spiritual path are presented.
Dhanda Muni: Praised by Bhagwan Nemi for his difficult austerities.
Thavasyaputra: His renunciation along with 1000 princes is described.
Shuk and Shelak: Their spiritual lineage and attainments are noted.
Shamak Muni: His suffering and eventual liberation are recounted.
Saran Muni: His great austerities and devotion are praised.
Narad Muni (Kacchulla): His journey to understanding the true meaning of "Shauch" and his attainment of Keval-gyan are detailed.
Pratyekbuddhas: Mention of Pratyekbuddhas from the teachings of Neminath, Parshvanath, and Mahavir.
Damadama Maharshi: His balanced approach to friends and foes is highlighted.
Kubjavaraka Muni: Son of Balarama, his devotion to Nemi and eventual liberation are described.
Pandava brothers: Their renunciation and attainment of liberation are recounted.
Keshi Ganadhar: His role in resolving Pradeshiraja's doubts is mentioned.
Kalika Putra, Mekhali, Anandrakshit, Kashyap: Four munis from Parshvanath's lineage whose teachings on karma and divinity are noted.
Kalasya Vaishya Rishi: His extreme austerities and devotion are depicted.
Kashyap Rishi's son: His renunciation and path to liberation are mentioned.
Pundrik Muni: His renunciation after witnessing his brother's downfall.
Devananda and Rishabhdatta: Parents of Mahavir who attained liberation.
Karkandu Raja: His awakening through observing nature.
Dwimukh Raja: His renunciation after seeing the cycle of worship and neglect.
Nami Raja: His realization of impermanence leading to renunciation.
Nagati Raja: His renunciation upon seeing a denuded mango tree.
Four Ascetics in Yaksha Temple: Their simultaneous enlightenment and liberation are described.
Prasannachandra: His spiritual journey from rebirth in hell to salvation in Sarvarthasiddhi.
Valak Chirin: His renunciation and attainment of Keval-gyan in a householder's attire.
Atimukta Muni: His path to liberation from a young age.
Khullak Kumar: His renunciation after being influenced by a song.
Lohitya Muni: His devotion to Mahavir.
Loha Rishi: His complete destruction of karma.
Shraman Bhadra: His endurance of suffering and detachment.
Supratishtha Rishi: His renunciation and praise by Mahavir.
Suvrata Rishi: His renunciation of worldly wealth.
Gobhadra Rishi: His meditation and austerities.
Varatta Rishi: His renunciation of divine pleasures.
Arjuna Mali: His austerities and liberation.
Dadhaprahari: His renunciation after a tragic incident.
Kuragdu, Kshapak Rishis: Their spiritual attainments are mentioned.
Kodins, Din, Seval: Ascetics who attained liberation through various means.
Shivraj Rishi: His spiritual realization through Mahavir's words.
Dasharnabhadra Raja: His renunciation inspired by Indra's grandeur.
Metarya Muni: His extreme endurance of suffering.
Ilaputra: His attainment of Keval-gyan in a householder's guise.
Chilati Putra: His endurance of suffering and attainment of heavens.
Mrigaputra: His renunciation and spiritual journey.
Indranaga Muni: His realization and liberation.
Dharmaruchi Tapas: His realization and liberation.
Rijuka, Anga, Rudra, Kaushika: Four ascetics and their liberation.
Devilasuta Raja Rishi: His renunciation and attainment of liberation.
Kurmaputra: His unique path to liberation.
Chanda Rudra's Disciple: His spiritual growth and attainment.
Dhanna Kakadi: His exemplary austerities and liberation.
Shital Suri: His attainment of Keval-gyan through devotion.
Subahu Muni: His destined path through various births to liberation.
Bhadranandi and other kings: Nine princes who followed similar spiritual paths.
Rohaka and Pingalaka: Their interactions with Mahavir and their spiritual journeys.
Skandak Muni: His austerities and path to liberation.
Tishyak and Kurudatta: Their austerities and attainment of divine status.
Abhaykumar Muni: His spiritual journey and liberation.
Meghkumar: His spiritual discipline and attainment.
Nandisena Muni: His virtuous life despite living in a courtesan's house.
Hall and Vihall: Princes who renounced their kingdom and attained liberation.
Sarvanubhuti Muni: His spiritual path and liberation after facing persecutions.
Sunakshtra Muni: His journey to heavens after being affected by Tejo-leshya.
Simha Muni: His act of devotion.
Dhanyashalibhadra: Their extreme austerities and liberation.
Udayana Raja: His renunciation and liberation.
Jambuswami: His path to becoming the last Kevali.
Prabhavasuri: His spiritual lineage and attainments.
Shayambhav Goswami: His devotional practices and the compilation of Dashavaikalika.
Yashobhadra Muni: His disciples Sambhutivijaya and Bhadrabahu.
Bhadrabahu: His role in preserving Jain scriptures.
Sthulabhadra: Numerous verses are dedicated to his extraordinary austerities, renunciation, and steadfastness in the face of temptations.
Shighragiri Muni: His life and devotion are described.
Pushpamitra Muni: His scholarly achievements and devotion to his guru.
Vindhya Muni: His prowess in debates.
Skandila Acharya: His role in reviving scriptures.
Devarddhigani Kshamashraman: His encyclopedic knowledge.
Duspratibhas Acharya: Praised by Falgushri, Nagil, and Satyshri.
The text concludes with a verse encouraging readers to recite, contemplate, and learn these praises of the great Rishis, promising them the happiness of liberation.

In essence, the "Rushimandal Stav Prakaranam" serves as a devotional and inspirational guide, offering a vast repository of narratives about the lives of Jain ascetics, encouraging readers to emulate their virtues and strive for spiritual liberation.