Shasan Devi Ambika

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shasan Devi Ambika" by Bhanvarlal Nahta, based on the provided text:

The book, "Shasan Devi Ambika," authored by Bhanvarlal Nahta, details the significance and history of Ambika Devi, the Shasan Devi (guardian deity) of the 22nd Tirthankara, Bhagwan Neminath. The text highlights her widespread influence not only among Jains but also among non-Jains, with her images found in numerous places and museums.

The narrative begins by tracing Ambika Devi's origins through a past life account from Jinaprabhasuri's "Vividh Tirth Kalpa." In a city called Koidinar in Saurashtra, there lived a virtuous Brahmin named Som, and his wife Ambinin. One day, during a Shradh ceremony, Ambinin, while preparing food, offered alms to a Muni (ascetic) who came to their house. Her mother-in-law, angered by this act before the ritualistic offerings to ancestors and Brahmins, expelled her from the house.

Distraught, Ambinin fled with her two sons, Siddha and Buddha. Facing hardship and thirst, she found a lake and miraculously a mango tree bore fruit for her hungry children. Her purity and devotion were so powerful that discarded leaf plates turned into gold and pearls. Upon learning of this divine intervention, her mother-in-law persuaded her son Som to bring Ambinin back. However, Ambinin, seeking spiritual merit, immolated herself in a well while meditating on Jinendra Bhagwan. This act led her to be reborn as Ambika Devi, a powerful deity in the Kohanda Vimana in the Saudharma Kalpa. Som, who also jumped into the well, was reborn as her vehicle, a lion. Some accounts suggest this event occurred on Revanta Giri.

The text describes Ambika Devi's iconography: she has four arms, holding a mango cluster and a noose in her right hands, and a child and an ankus (goad) in her left hands. Her body is golden, and she is adorned with various ornaments. She resides on Girnar hill and fulfills the desires of her devotees, removing obstacles and bestowing prosperity, protection from malevolent forces, and blessings of children, wealth, and status.

The book further elaborates on Ambika Devi's widespread veneration throughout India, with numerous temples and shrines dedicated to her. Specific mentions include:

• Girnar: A famous hill known for Ambika Devi.
• Bengal: An Ambikapur with a temple and a connection to Lord Rishabhdev.
• Pakvir: Mention of a fragmented Ambika sculpture.
• Danta village: A description referencing Jogmaya Adhishthayika, Jai Amba Devi.
• South India: Villages named after Ambika Devi.

The text details several miraculous events attributed to Ambika Devi's intervention:

• Kashmir: At her behest, a stone idol of Neminath was installed in place of a painted one.
• Gold Siddhi: Tales of miraculous wealth generation are linked to her.
• Kashmiri ascetics: Ambika assisted them by miraculously retrieving a melted idol.
• Kannauj merchant Yaksha: Ambika appeared to him in a dream, revealing hidden idols of Arishtanemi, Parshvanath, and herself, leading to the recovery of his lost cattle.
• Hastinapur: Ambika Devi had a temple there.
• Satyapur (Sanchor): She assisted in transporting a Chandraprabha idol via aerial route.
• Gandhar region: Ambika Devi appeared as a crying woman, turning fire into water, and later helped a merchant defeat a tribal leader.
• Kampilpur: Ambika Devi transported a devotee 84 yojanas away.
• Chanderi: Ambika Devi helped place 22 metal images made by Nandivardhan.
• Bikaner: An unknown work describing Ambika Devi's past life.
• Pratishthan Kalpa: Her role in removing obstacles for the Shri Sangh.
• Kapardiyaksh Kalpa: Her name is included.
• Dhipuri Tirth Stavan: Mentions of Ambika Devi near the gate.
• Arasan Tirth: Its construction was due to Ambika Devi's grace.
• A yogi's challenge: Ambika Devi, in the form of a bird, helped Acharya Devsuriji overcome a venomous snake display by a yogi.
• Kirtiratnasurishakha: Poet Devharsh mentioned her in the "Deesa Gajal."

The text also extensively covers the installation and worship of Ambika Devi's idols through various historical periods and mentions her connection with prominent figures like Vimal Shah and various acharyas of different gacchas (sects), such as Khartargachha. Inscriptions and archaeological findings from places like Mathura, Hastinapur, Rajgir, Khandagiri, and southern India are cited as evidence of her ancient and widespread worship.

The text further includes:

• Ambika's association with Jinadatta Suri: How a devotee, Nagdev, identified Jinadatta Suri as the "Yugpradhan" (era-leader) based on a divine message from Ambika.
• The Ambika Devi Ashtakam by Jinishwar Suri: A devotional hymn praising her qualities.
• The Ambika Mantra: From Vividh Tirth Kalpa.
• Ambika Geet by Amar Sindhur: A devotional song praising her.
• Ambika Stotram by Vastupal: A praise song highlighting her powers.
• The Ambika temple on Girnar: Built by Vastupal Tejpal.
• Revantgiri Ras by Vijayasen Suri: Mentioning her presence and miracles.
• Inscriptions and their details: Listing several instances of Ambika Devi's idol installations with dates and dedicators.
• Artistic representations: Describing her seated and standing postures in sculptures from Satna and the artistic significance of her depictions.
• Historical context of Ambaji: Its association with the goddess Chandi and its popularity from the 10th-11th century onwards.

In essence, "Shasan Devi Ambika" is a scholarly compilation that traces the origins, iconography, mythology, historical presence, and devotional significance of Ambika Devi within the Jain tradition, emphasizing her role as a benevolent and protective deity.