Shatrunjaya Tirthashtaka

This document is an excerpt from the "Shatrunjaya Tirthashtaka" (Eight Verses on Shatrunjaya Tirth), authored by Vinaysagar, and published in the "Agarachand Nahata Abhinandan Granth" in 2007.

Key Information and Summary:

• Title: Shatrunjaya Tirthashtaka (शत्रुञ्जयतीर्थाष्टक)
• Author: Vinaysagar (विनयसागर), identified as a Mahopadhyaya (महोपाध्याय).
• Context: The text is presented as an "incomparable composition in the Apabhramsha language" by the "Kālīkāla Sarvajña" (कलिकाल सर्वज्ञ) Shri Hemachandracharya.
• Attribution and Dating:
  • Shri Sumatigani (श्री सुमतिगणि), a disciple of Shri Jinapatisuri (श्री जिनपतिसूरि), quoted this stotra while explaining the first verse of the 'Ganadhara Sarddhasatak Prakaran' (गणधर सार्द्धशतक - प्रकरण) composed by Yugapradhana Dada Jindattasuri (युगप्रधान दादा जिनदत्तसूरि).
  • The colophon of Sumatigani's 'Vriddhavritti' (वृद्धवृत्ति) dates to Vikrama Samvat 1295. Therefore, the stotra itself is dated to the 12th-13th century.
  • The final line of the Ashtaka mentions 'Hemsurihi' (हेमसूरिहि), referring to Hemasuri.
  • Two Acharyas named Hemachandra lived in the 12th century: one from the Maldhar Gachha and the other, the "Kālīkāla Sarvajña" Hemachandra, from the Purnatallagachha. Both were contemporaries and highly respected by Siddharaja Jayasimha, the ruler of Gurjaradesha.
  • As the Maldhar Gachha Hemachandra's works in vernacular language are not available, and the "Kālīkāla Sarvajña" Hemachandra utilized Apabhramsha in his works like 'Deshinammala' and Prakrit grammar, the authorship of this Ashtaka is attributed to the latter.
• Subject Matter: The Ashtaka describes the glory of Shatrunjaya (सिद्धाचल), the king of Tirthas, located in the Saurashtra region.
• Language and Meter: The language is Apabhramsha, and it is composed in the Deshi Chhanda – Shatpadi (देश्यछन्द - षट्पदी).
• Significance: Its importance from a linguistic perspective is highlighted, and it is presented in its complete form as it was previously unknown. The text also notes that its ancient and meaningful text has been preserved because it was quoted in a work composed around 1200 CE.

Summary of the Verses (as translated and understood):

The verses extol the virtues and significance of Shatrunjaya Tirth, particularly in relation to Lord Rishabhadeva (the first Tirthankara) and other Tirthankaras and great souls who attained liberation there.

• Verse 1: Describes Shatrunjaya as the abode of Lord Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara, accompanied by the Ganadhara Pundarikasvami. It mentions King Bharata's renunciation and the admiration shown by gods and humans.
• Verse 2: Highlights the presence of five crore great ascetics (muni) and the attainment of liberation by the Ganadhara Pundarika. It mentions the five Pandavas (son of Pandu) also achieving liberation, and the mountain being revered by gods and humans with devotion. It also refers to Lord Neminath and twenty-three other Tirthankaras who touched the mountain with their feet.
• Verse 3: Mentions various individuals who attained Siddhi (liberation) on this mountain, including King Draivida, Valakhilya, King Dasaratha's son Shri Rama, and Bharata. It emphasizes that Shatrunjaya is the essence of all Tirthas.
• Verse 4: References the narration of the attainment of liberation by great souls like Narada. It highlights the immense joy and spiritual bliss experienced by those who ascend Shatrunjaya. It also mentions the blessings received by the Chakravarti kings, Vidhyadharas, and Vimalavahana Muni, who attained heavenly pleasures and were freed from worldly suffering. It describes the mountain as the cause of eternal happiness and worthy of worship.
• Verse 5: Mentions that gods rejoice in performing various austerities and experiencing divine pleasures with celestial nymphs due to the influence of the Tirth.
• Verse 6: Describes the arduous journey of conquering internal desires and external dangers to ascend the mountain. It paints a vivid picture of overcoming fierce animals, robbers, and formidable obstacles.
• Verse 7: Questions the purpose of life if one does not behold the face of Lord Rishabhadeva and the Ganadhara Pundarikasvami on Shatrunjaya, as this sight is considered essential for worldly happiness. It criticizes those who are foolishly engrossed in worldly attachments or follow other false doctrines.
• Verse 8: Encourages devotion to Shatrunjaya, calling it the supreme Tirth. It states that even if one ascends Shatrunjaya, without proper devotion, they cannot attain the desired spiritual fruits. It questions the worth of wealth, youth, and good deeds if they don't lead to the worship of the Lord and the company of the virtuous.
• Verse 9: Describes Shatrunjaya as a place where the illusion of demons is dispelled, and the impossible becomes possible for devotees. It highlights the ever-lasting fame and glory of the Tirth, which is visible to all.
• Verse 10: Concludes by urging everyone to bow down to Shatrunjaya, the Tirth described by Hemasuri, where countless crores of Siddhas and great sages, revered by gods, have attained liberation.

In essence, the Shatrunjaya Tirthashtaka is a devotional composition in ancient Apabhramsha, attributed to the esteemed Acharya Hemachandra, celebrating the supreme sanctity and spiritual significance of Shatrunjaya, a paramount pilgrimage site in Jainism.