Saklarhat Stotram - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Sakalārhat Stotram, based on the provided text, focusing on its content and significance within Jainism:

Book Title: Sakalārhat Stotram Author: Kālīkālasarvajña Śrī Hemchandrāchārya Commentary Author: Śrī Guṇavijaya Editor: Muni Nemvijaya Publisher: Śrī Labdhisūriśvara Jain Granthamālā

Overview and Significance:

The Sakalārhat Stotram, as presented in this publication, is a devotional hymn attributed to the renowned Jain scholar and monk, Acharya Hemachandra. It is a collection of verses that praise the twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras of the current Avર્ષિṇī (descending era) in Jain cosmology. The title "Sakalārhat" itself means "All Arhats," signifying that it encompasses the veneration of all omniscient beings of this era.

Key Aspects and Content:

Authorship and Lineage: The stotra is a significant work by Acharya Hemachandra, a towering figure in Jain literature, known for his vast contributions to grammar, lexicography, and religious philosophy. The edition also includes a commentary by Śrī Guṇavijaya, a disciple of Acharya Vijayahīrasūriśvara, who provided an insightful explanation titled "Arthaprakāś" (Illumination of Meaning). The present compilation was edited by Muni Nemvijaya.
Context and Purpose: The stotra is traditionally placed at the beginning of Acharya Hemachandra's monumental work, the Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣa Charitra (The Lives of Sixty-three Great Men), as a form of auspicious invocation (mangala). It is recited during important Jain festivals and rituals, highlighting its sacredness and foundational role in Jain devotional practices.
Structure and Content of the Stotra: The stotra systematically praises each of the twenty-four Tīrthaṅkaras, beginning with the first Tīrthaṅkara, Rishabhanatha (also known as Adinātha), and concluding with the twenty-fourth, Mahāvīra. Each verse typically:
- Names the Tīrthaṅkara.
- Highlights key attributes, epithets, or significant events associated with that Tīrthaṅkara. These often relate to their divine powers, spiritual achievements, influence on the world, or iconic characteristics.
- Offers a blessing or expresses a wish for the spiritual well-being and prosperity of the devotees.
Themes of Tīrthaṅkara Praise: The verses showcase a rich tapestry of Jain theology and philosophy:
- Omniscience (Kevala-jñāna): Many verses refer to the Tīrthaṅkaras' perfect and all-encompassing knowledge, often described through metaphors like mirrors reflecting the universe.
- Non-attachment (Nishparigraha): The concept of detachment from worldly possessions is a recurring theme, emphasizing the Tīrthaṅkaras' renunciation.
- Auspicious Attributes: Descriptions often include divine luminosity, powerful teachings, the ability to alleviate suffering, and the establishment of the four-fold Jain community (monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen).
- Ethical Teachings: The stotra implicitly or explicitly refers to the core Jain principles like Anekānta (non-absolutism) and Syādavāda (the doctrine of conditional predication).
- Divine Powers and Influence: The verses acknowledge the Tīrthaṅkaras' miraculous powers and their transformative impact on the world and its inhabitants.
Commentary ("Arthaprakāś"): The commentary by Śrī Guṇavijaya is crucial for understanding the nuanced meanings and deeper philosophical implications of each verse. It explains the specific epithets used, the theological concepts, and the literary devices employed by Acharya Hemachandra. The commentary details the etymology of names and attributes, drawing upon scriptural knowledge and grammatical principles.
Editorial Contribution: Muni Nemvijaya's role as editor ensures the accurate transcription and presentation of the stotra and its commentary, making this classical text accessible to modern readers and scholars. The introduction by the editor provides valuable historical and contextual information about the work and its authors.

Specific Examples of Tīrthaṅkara Praises (as evident in the verses):

Rishabhanatha (Adinātha): Praised as the first king, the first non-possessor, and the first Tīrthaṅkara.
Ajitanātha: Described as the "sun of the lotus pond of the universe," illuminating all with his pure knowledge.
Sambhavanātha: His speech is likened to streams that nurture the world's well-being.
Abhinandana: Referred to as the moon that causes the ocean of Anekānta (Syādavāda) to surge, bringing immense joy.
Sumatinātha: His feet are adorned with the brilliance of divine crowns, signifying the veneration he receives.
Padmaprabha: His divine radiance is invoked to foster auspiciousness.
Supārśvanātha: Worshipped by Indra and praised for his expansive presence within the four-fold community.
Chandraprabha: His form is described as luminous like clusters of moonlight, as if sculpted by pure meditation.
Suvidhinātha: He understands the universe as clearly as fruit in the hand, holding the wealth of unfathomable glory.
Shītanātha: He is the new cloud that brings the nectar of Syādavāda, offering solace and relief.
Śreyāṁsanātha: His vision is like a healing medicine for the diseases of worldly existence, leading to liberation.
Vāsupūjya: His Tīrthaṅkara-establishing karma is universally beneficial, revered by gods, demons, and humans.
Vimalanātha: His words, like the purifying powder of the Kataka fruit, cleanse the minds of the three worlds.
Anantanātha: He bestows unending happiness, rivaling the grandeur of the ocean.
Dharmanātha: Resembling a wish-fulfilling tree, he guides beings towards the four ultimate goals of life (dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa).
Śāntinātha: His moonlight-like speech dispels darkness, bringing peace.
Kunthunātha: He is the supreme lord, enriched by miraculous powers, becoming the sole sovereign for gods, demons, and humans.
Aranātha: Like the sun in the sky, he illuminates the path to liberation (the fourth goal of human existence).
Mallinātha: He is invoked as an elephant that uproots the forest of karma, the crest-jewel for lords of gods, demons, and humans.
Munisuvratanātha: His teachings are like the dawn that dispels the great sleep of worldly ignorance.
Naminātha: The rays from his toenails are invoked as purifying agents, like purifying streams.
Neminātha: He is the moon of the Yadu dynasty's ocean, the fire that burns the dry grass of karma, destroying misfortunes.
Pārśvanātha: His mental state is serene and untroubled, whether facing adversity from demons or devotion from Nāgarāja.
Mahāvīra: His compassionate eyes, slightly moist with tears due to his mercy on wrongdoers, are invoked for auspiciousness.

Conclusion:

The Sakalārhat Stotram, as presented with the commentary of Śrī Guṇavijaya and edited by Muni Nemvijaya, is a valuable resource for understanding the reverence paid to the Tīrthaṅkaras in Jainism. It encapsulates the essence of Jain devotional practice, highlighting the spiritual prowess, ethical teachings, and compassionate nature of these omniscient beings. The detailed verses and the accompanying commentary provide a rich spiritual and intellectual experience for those who study it.