Shatrunjay Mahatmya - Book Summary

This text is the Gujarati translation of the Sanskrit text "Shatrunjay Mahatmya" by Jineshwarsuri, published by Jaindharm Prasarak Sabha, Bhavnagar. The book is a comprehensive treatise on the significance and glory of Shatrunjay Tirth, a holy pilgrimage site for Jains.

Here's a summary of the key themes and content presented in the provided pages:

Core Message and Jain Philosophy:

Liberation through Dharma: The text emphasizes that the ultimate goal of human life is liberation from the cycle of birth and death (moksha), and this can only be achieved through Dharma (righteousness/religion).
Significance of Pilgrimage (Tirtha): A central theme is the immense spiritual merit and benefits derived from visiting holy places (tirthas). The text defines a tirtha as a place that helps one cross the ocean of samsara through its touch, sight, and the worship of the divine beings established there.
Types of Tirtha: It categorizes tirthas into two types:
- Sthavara Tirtha (Immovable): These are the holy land-marks associated with Tirthankaras and key events in their lives, such as Shatrunjay, Girnar, Abu, Sammetshikhar, and others.
- Jangama Tirtha (Movable): This refers to the fourfold Jain community (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen) who embody the Dharma.
Shatrunjay as the Supreme Tirtha: The text repeatedly highlights Shatrunjay as the most important and sacred among all tirthas, comparing its superiority to Mount Meru among mountains, the Ganges among rivers, and Jinneshvara among ascetics.
Holiness and Purity: The dust from the path leading to the tirtha is described as purifying, removing karmic impurities. Visiting and worshiping at these holy sites purifies the soul and leads to higher spiritual states.
Karma and Rebirth: The text connects actions at tirthas with future benefits, such as acquiring stable wealth in subsequent births through spending money there and becoming worthy of reverence by worshiping the Vitragas.
Devotion and Purity: The text stresses the importance of pure intention (shuddha bhava) in worship to achieve spiritual upliftment.

Detailed Content and Narratives:

Historical and Mythological Accounts: The book delves into the history and legends associated with Shatrunjay and other significant Jain tirthas. It mentions numerous great souls, including Tirthankaras, Ganadharas, kings, and heroes who visited these sites and attained liberation.
Specific Glorification of Shatrunjay:
- Eternality: Shatrunjay is described as eternal and indestructible.
- Names and Significance: Its various names like Siddhachala are mentioned, signifying its role in achieving liberation.
- Visits of Tirthankaras: It details the visits of Rishabhdev (first Tirthankara), Ajitanath, Shantinath, and others to Shatrunjay. Rishabhdev is said to have visited it ninety-nine times.
- Pundarik Swami: The first Ganadhara of Rishabhdev, Pundarik Swami, is credited with elevating the glory of Shatrunjay and attaining liberation there with many disciples. The mountain is also known as Pundarik Giri.
- Numerous Siddhas: It's mentioned that countless beings have attained Siddhahood (liberation) on Shatrunjay, with not a single spot remaining untouched by the footsteps of liberated souls.
- Shuk Raja and the Name Shatrunjay: The story of King Shuk, who gained his kingdom and defeated enemies after six months of meditation at Shatrunjay, is recounted, explaining the origin of the name "Shatrunjay" (conqueror of enemies).
- Miraculous Properties: The text highlights the mountain's miraculous power, stating that even sinners like King Chandrashekhar were purified and attained moksha through its darshan. It also mentions that the unworthy or those destined for lower births cannot even behold Shatrunjay.
Description of Shatrunjay and its Vicinity:
- Location: Shatrunjay is located near Palitana city in Gujarat.
- Appearance: It's described as having an excellent form, a captivating appearance, and being very beautiful from a distance.
- Management: The Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi manages the affairs and temples of the tirth.
- Infrastructure: The city of Palitana has many traveler's rest houses (dharmashalas) built by wealthy individuals.
- Ascent: The main path to the summit starts from Palitana city and is well-constructed, featuring resting places (vishramas), water fountains (parabs), and small temples (deris) built by devotees. The climb to Hinglag Hada is described as slightly challenging but made comfortable by good arrangements.
- The Summit: The top is described as open and vast, with a pleasant breeze. The mountain peak itself is compared to a royal palace.
- Temples: The mountain is covered with temples, with nine main peaks (tanks) and many other smaller temples. The left peak has the main cluster of temples. The view from the summit, including the mountains, the Shetrunji river, and the temple spires, is breathtaking.
- Idol of Adinath: The main temple at the summit houses the grand idol of Adinath Bhagwan, which, upon darshan, makes pilgrims feel liberated from bondage.
- Other Temples (Tunks): Various other temples are mentioned, built by prominent figures like Keshavji Nayak, Motishah Sheth, Balabhai, Premchand Modi, Hemabhai Sheth, Ujam Bai, Sakarchand Premchand, Chhipavashi, and Chaumukhji. Motishah and Balabhai's temples are located in the valley, while others are on the opposite peak.
- Architectural Grandeur: The sheer number of temples (thousands) and the generosity of their builders are highlighted, with Motishah's, Chaumukhji's, and the main peak's temples being particularly significant.
- Renovations (Uddhars): Shatrunjay has undergone sixteen major renovations after its initial establishment by Bharat Chakravarti. The current main idol is stated to have been installed during the renovation by Karmasha in Vikram Samvat 1587.
- Historical Account of a Renovation: A detailed account from the Kumarpal Prabandh by Shri Jinmandal Ganik is presented, describing the renovation of a wooden temple by Minister Udyan's son Bahal (Valmat) during King Kumarpal's reign, his father's vow, and the substantial expenditure involved.
Author and Context: The preface mentions that the author, Dhaneshwarsuri, composed this work in Vallabhi during the time of King Shiladitya. The original work by Pundarik Swami was in 1.25 lakh verses, which was later abridged by Sudharma Swami. Dhaneshwarsuri's composition is in Sanskrit and consists of 10,000 verses.
Structure of the Book: The book is divided into two parts and fourteen chapters (sargas). The first part covers nine chapters on the glory of Shatrunjay, while the second part (five chapters) focuses on Raivatachal (Girnar) and the life of Parshvanath, followed by a prophecy regarding the fifth era.
Key Stories and Characters: The text includes numerous narratives, such as the stories of King Kadu, King Mahipal, the sons of King Shantanu, King Dhanapala, King Shukra, King Kandura, King Mahipala, the sons of King Shantanu, Bhimasena Muni, and the significance of the Shatrunjaya river, Kundas, etc. It also details the lives of important figures like Bharat Chakravarti, Bahubali, Nami, Vinami, Dravid, Valikhilya, Jambuvanta, Hanuman, Ram, Ravana, Pandavas, Krishna, Neminath, and others.
Emphasis on Dharma and Virtue: The narratives often illustrate the consequences of adhering to Dharma and the pitfalls of falling prey to vices like anger, greed, and delusion.
Second Edition Preface: This preface indicates that the book has gone through multiple editions due to its popularity and widespread appeal within the Jain community.

Overall Purpose:

The "Shatrunjay Mahatmya" serves as a devotional and informational guide for Jain pilgrims, aiming to instill reverence and devotion for Shatrunjay Tirth. It aims to highlight the spiritual potency of the tirth, the virtuous lives of those who have graced it, and the immense benefits of its pilgrimage, thereby encouraging more people to undertake this sacred journey.

This summary covers the essential aspects presented in the provided text snippets. The richness of the original text likely contains much more detailed information and spiritual guidance.