Shatrunjaya Chaitya Paripati Stotra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shatrunjaya Chaitya Paripati Stotra" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shatrunjaya Chaitya Paripati Stotra Author(s): Agarchand Nahta, M A Dhaky (Editors/Commentators) Original Author: Amaraprabhasuri (identified as a disciple of Anandasuri) Publisher: Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf and Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf and Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249314/1

Summary of the Text and its Significance:

The "Shatrunjaya Chaitya Paripati Stotra" is a significant Sanskrit composition that meticulously describes the various temples (Chaityas) located on the holy mountain of Shatrunjaya, a paramount pilgrimage site in Jainism. The provided text is an introduction and commentary by editors Agarchand Nahta and Madhusudan Dhaky, followed by the stotra itself.

Key Points from the Introduction/Commentary:

Historical Importance: This stotra is considered one of the earliest historically valuable compositions detailing the Chaityas of Shatrunjaya. It predates the temple destruction (Tirthabhanga) that occurred in Samvat 1369 / 1317 CE, thus increasing its value.
Dating: The composition is dated to Samvat 1326 / 1270 CE. This places it before other significant works like the "Pundarikashikhari Stotra" (published later in the same journal), Acharya Jinaprabhasuri's "Shatrunjayakalpa" (Samvat 1385 / 1329 CE), and Merutunga Acharya's "Prabandha Chintamani" (Samvat 1361 / 1305 CE). It is comparable in its historical importance to the Shatrunjayakalpa by Dharmakirtigani (Dharmaghoshasuri) of the Tapagachchha.
Author Identification: The author identifies himself simply as a "disciple of Anandasuri." However, the endnote of the manuscript indicates it is by "Amaraprabhasuri." This leads the editors to believe the scribe was aware of the original author. Another work by Amaraprabhasuri, the "Tribhuvanatirthamala" in Apabhramsha, is dated to Samvat 1323 / 1267 CE. Given that the current stotra is dated only three years later, it is highly likely that the Anandasuri mentioned is the one from the Rajagachchha lineage of Dharmaghoshasuri, and Amaraprabhasuri is indeed the author.
Structure and Meter: The stotra consists of ten verses. The first nine verses are in the Shardulavikridita meter, while the tenth and final verse is in the Upajati meter. The final verse also contains a numerical reference for the composition year (Samvat 1326 / 1270 CE) using words relating to "rasa" (6), "lochana" (2), "loka" (3), and "chandra" (1) – 1270. It is noted that the stotra was composed after a pilgrimage (yatra).
Content and Descriptions:
- Verse 1: Praises Lord Adinath (Nabhēyadeva) on the Shatrunjaya mountain, describing him as a dispeller of ignorance and a wish-fulfilling gem.
- Verse 2: Mentions that the first temple was built by Chakravarti Bharatēshvara, and subsequent renovations were carried out by Sagara, the Pandavas, and other kings. It venerates the Lord residing on Vimalachal.
- Verses 3-5: Express profound devotion and the fulfillment of desires upon seeing the Lord, highlighting the spiritual liberation and attainment of the path to salvation achieved by reaching Vimalachal and beholding the Lord's feet.
- Verse 6: Praises Yaksharaj Kapardi, the protector of Shatrunjaya, who assists pilgrims during their journeys.
- Verse 7: Mentions the Chaityas of Marudevi, Shantinath, Rishabhanatha, Shreyansanatha, Neminatha, and Mahavir. It also refers to temples built by Vastupala, including those dedicated to Parshva, Indramandapa, Jinasuvrata, Raivata (Neminatha), and Satyapureshwara Vir.
- Verse 8: Mentions Viraman Jinās (twenty Jinās in Videha regions like Simandhara), Nandishvara prāsāda, images of the Pandavas, Kotakoti-jinalaya, Charana Paduka (footprints), and twenty-three painted (lepamayee) Jina images.
- Observation on Order: The editors note that the order of the Chaityas mentioned in verse 8 might be slightly mixed up, likely for metrical reasons. They also point out that some items mentioned by the author, like Kotakoti Chaitya and the twenty Viraman Jinās, are not mentioned by contemporary writers of Vastupala's time, suggesting these constructions might have occurred after Vastupala and before the composition of this stotra. The Kotakoti Chaitya is specifically noted as being built by Malava minister Petha around 1264 CE.
- Verse 9: Praises Punḍarika, the Ganadhara (chief disciple) of Adinath, and seeks refuge in Adinath and Punḍarika on Shatrunjaya.
- Verse 10: Repeats the author's identification as a disciple of Anandasuri and reiterates the composition date (Samvat 1270).
Overall Impression: The stotra is praised for its beautiful language ("padalalitya") and elegant structure ("bandhanam"). It is considered a valuable contribution to the study of Shatrunjaya's history and architecture.

The Stotra Itself (in Gujarati script, with English translation of the intent):

The provided text includes the Sanskrit verses of the stotra. Here's a breakdown of their content:

Verse 1: A prayer to Lord Nabhēyadeva (Adinath) on Shatrunjaya mountain, describing him as the sun illuminating the vastness of ignorance, a wish-fulfilling jewel for beings, and the giver of supreme bliss upon mere sight.
Verse 2: Recalls that Lord Adinath was first installed on this mountain by Chakravarti Bharatēshvara. Later kings like Sagara and the Pandavas performed repairs. The verse venerates this supreme Lord, the crest-jewel of Vimalachal.
Verse 3-4: Expresses that the eyes beholding the Lord have showered tears of joy, like water enriching a garden, causing the seeds of past merits to sprout and bear abundant fruit. All desires are fulfilled, auspicious stories are unfolding, the impurities of Kali Yuga are washed away, and the ocean of worldly existence has been crossed. This liberation is attributed to seeing the Lord, which was not possible before.
Verse 5: States that the great delusion (moha) has been overcome, leading to the attainment of the path to salvation. Ascending Vimalachal, where the Lord resides, signifies the achievement of high spiritual states and the experience of supreme bliss by beholding the Lord's lotus-like feet.
Verse 6: Invokes Yaksharaj Kapardi, the protector of Shatrunjaya, who is skilled in safeguarding Dharma and is devoted to the Lord's lotus feet. He aids the community (sangha) during their pilgrimages, protecting them from dangers on the path, such as rivers, robbers, and treacherous terrains.
Verse 7: Offers salutations to the Chaityas of Marudevi, Shantinath, Rishabhanatha, and Shreyansanatha, followed by Neminatha and Mahavir. It then bows to Rishabha residing in the Svargarohana prāsāda. It also mentions temples associated with Indramandapa, Jinasuvrata, Raivata, and Satyapureshwara Vir, all constructed by Shri Vastupala.
Verse 8: Praises the Jinās of Videha regions (like Simandhara), the Nandishvara prāsāda, the depiction of the Pandavas, the Kotakoti Jinalayas, footprints, and twenty-three painted Jina images.
Verse 9: Expresses fear of the cycle of birth and death but finds solace and refuge in the Lord along with Punḍarika, whose radiance is like the lotus. The author declares complete surrender to the Lord on the lotus-like Shatrunjaya mountain.
Verse 10: (In Upajati meter) Indicates that in the year denoted by 'rasa' (6), 'lochana' (2), 'loka' (3), and 'chandra' (1) – Samvat 1270 – on the eighth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra, the author, a small disciple of Anandasuri, joyfully composed this stotra after performing the pilgrimage to the first Jinā.

Conclusion:

The "Shatrunjaya Chaitya Paripati Stotra" is a historically and artistically significant work that provides valuable insights into the temple structures and religious practices at the Shatrunjaya pilgrimage site in the 13th century. Its early dating, detailed descriptions, and the commentary by esteemed scholars like Agarchand Nahta and Madhusudan Dhaky make it a crucial source for understanding Jain history and art.