Simandharswamini Bhavyatra - Book Summary

This document is a Jain religious text titled "Simandharswamini Bhavyatra" (A Spiritual Journey of Lord Simandhar Swami), authored by Muni Hitvardhan Vijay. It's published by Gautambhai Dansukhbhai Pansovera. The book aims to guide the reader on a spiritual journey to experience the presence of Lord Simandhar Swami, a living Tirthankar in Mahavideh Kshetra (the Greater Videha region), while physically remaining in Bharat Kshetra (the Bharata continent).

Here's a comprehensive summary of the content:

Core Purpose:

The book is designed to facilitate a "Bhavyatra" (spiritual journey) to Mahavideh Kshetra to have a virtual darshan (vision) and communion with Lord Simandhar Swami. It emphasizes the power of devotion and imagination to overcome the vast geographical and spiritual distance.

Key Information about Lord Simandhar Swami (Page 6):

The text provides a concise overview of Lord Simandhar Swami's biographical details:

Parents: Satyaki (father), Satyaki Devi (mother).
Spouse: Rukmini Devi.
Birthplace: Pundarikigini city.
Ksheta (Region): Mahavideh Kshetra.
Height: 500 Dhanushya (a measure of height).
Key Life Events:
- Chyavan Kalyanak (Descent into the womb): Ashadh Vad 1.
- Janma Kalyanak (Birth): Chaitra Vad 10.
- Diksha Kalyanak (Initiation): Falguna Sud 3 (during the time between Lord Kunthunath and Lord Aranath).
- Kevalgyan (Omniscience): Chaitra Sud 13.
Community Size:
- Saints (Sadhu): 1,00,00,00,000 (100 crore).
- Nuns (Sadhvi): 1,00,00,00,000 (100 crore).
- Kevalgynanis (Omniscient beings): 10,00,000 (10 lakh).
- Lay Disciples (Shravak-Shravika): 9,00,00,00,000 (900 crore).
Period of Penance (Chhadmasyakal): 1000 years.
Nirvan Kalyanak (Liberation): Shravan Sud 3.
Successors: Lord Udayaswami and Lord Pedhalaswami of the upcoming Chaturvishati (24 Tirthankaras).
Ruling Deity (Shasan Adhishthayika Devi): Panchanguli Devi.

The Spiritual Journey:

The book guides the reader through a series of mental visualizations and devotional practices:

Invocation and Intention: It begins with a plea to Lord Simandhar Swami and a strong resolve to undertake the spiritual journey, emphasizing the need for divine grace and the transformation of one's inner self.
Seeking Divine Aid: The journey starts with invoking the Shasan Devta (ruling deity) and Shasan Devi (ruling goddess) for divine assistance, including a spiritual body, mind, senses, and vision. This is done through devotional tunes and prayers.
Ascending to Mahavideh Kshetra: The reader is guided to imagine boarding a divine aerial vehicle (Vimana), which is carried by the Shasan Devi. This Vimana travels at incredible speed, transcending earthly limitations.
Pilgrimage Through Sacred Sites: The spiritual journey includes virtual visits to significant Jain pilgrimage sites in the Jambudvipa, such as:
- Ashtapad Tirth: Described as a historical site with a beautiful Jinanalaya built by Chakravarti Bharat. The description includes details of its vast courtyard, the surrounding ocean-like river, snow-covered mountains, and the eight steps leading to the "Simhanishadya Prasad" (temple).
- Vaitaldhya Parvat: A silver mountain with nine jeweled peaks, including the "Siddhkut Chaitya" (temple).
- Laghu Himvant Parvat: A golden mountain with a divine temple, housing 108 Jinabimbas (idols).
- Mahahimvant Kshetra and Parvat: A region described as four times larger than Bharat Kshetra, with the Rohita river.
- Harivarsh Kshetra: Known for its milky white waterfalls and rivers.
- Nishadh Parvat (Udayachal Parvat): A mountain made of red gems, responsible for sunrise in Bharat Kshetra.
- Vats Vijay: A region within Mahavideh Kshetra, housing the city of Susima where Lord Yugamdhara Swami resides.
Experiencing Mahavideh Kshetra: The text vividly describes the characteristics of Mahavideh Kshetra:
- Timeless Existence: It exists in a perpetual state resembling the fourth era (Ardha-Pushkara), free from the cycles of ascending and descending eras.
- Ideal Human Beings: Its inhabitants have a consistent height of 500 Dhanushya, a lifespan of 84 lakh Purva (an immense duration), and possess great physical and spiritual attributes.
- Disciplined Society: The people are inherently disciplined, and there is no need for external regulation.
- Spiritual Environment: Tirthankaras are always present, and the entire region resonates with spiritual harmony.
- Magnificent Flora and Fauna: Trees, fruits, and animals are described as being of colossal size, far exceeding those in Bharat Kshetra.
- Absence of Negative Elements: There is no crime, conflict, disease, or sorrow.
Arrival at Pushkalavati Vijay and Pundarikigini City: The ultimate destination of the spiritual journey is reached – Pushkalavati Vijay, specifically Pundarikigini city, the abode of Lord Simandhar Swami.
The Grand Arrival of Lord Simandhar Swami: The text describes the immense celestial splendor accompanying Lord Simandhar Swami's presence:
- Divine Music and Sounds: The air is filled with the divine sounds of drums, flutes, and other instruments.
- Celestial Procession: A grand procession includes a thousand-dhanushya high flag, the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Dharma), divine music, and the jubilant cries of birds.
- Miraculous Phenomena: Flower showers from the sky, fragrant water droplets, and the extraordinary sight of flowers falling upright are described.
- Divine Beings and Animals: Gods, goddesses, demons, celestial beings, and even animals are present, displaying remarkable peace and harmony, with even natural adversaries coexisting peacefully.
- The Divine Presence: The overwhelming radiance and divine aura of Lord Simandhar Swami are described as attracting all beings. His presence is depicted as a source of immense peace, joy, and spiritual awakening.
The Samavasaran: The text meticulously details the structure and experience of the Samavasaran (the divine preaching assembly pavilion):
- Three Fortified Rings: The Samavasaran is described as having three concentric rings made of silver, gold, and jewels.
- Vast Staircases: Each ring has thousands of steps, totaling 20,000, which are effortlessly ascended by the devotees due to the Lord's spiritual influence.
- Divine Audience: The assembly includes gods, goddesses, kings, princes, ascetics, and countless living beings, all engrossed in the Lord's sermon.
- Lord's Sermon: The sermon is delivered in a powerful, resonant voice that is universally understood across all languages and species. It addresses the nature of the soul, the cycle of birth and death, the causes of suffering, and the path to liberation through righteous conduct and the abandonment of worldly attachments.
- Questions and Answers: The text includes a Q&A session where devotees ask profound questions about true faith (Samyakdarshan), devoted conduct (Aradhakbhav), and the means to overcome karma, with the Lord providing enlightening answers.
- Benefits of Listening: Listening to the sermon brings spiritual upliftment, leads to the accumulation of Tirthankar Namakarma, enhances spiritual vigor, fosters detachment, and facilitates the shedding of karma.
Concluding the Spiritual Journey: After listening to the sermon and experiencing the divine presence, the reader is guided to descend from the Samavasaran and return to Bharat Kshetra, carrying the spiritual merits and memories of the journey. The text concludes with a reminder to continue performing the daily "Bhavyatra" and express gratitude to the Shasan Devi.

Overall Message:

The book "Simandharswamini Bhavyatra" serves as a guide for Jain devotees to connect with Lord Simandhar Swami through devotion, meditation, and visualization. It highlights the profound spiritual benefits of such a practice, emphasizing the accessibility of divine grace and the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation. The vivid descriptions and devotional songs aim to create an immersive experience for the reader, fostering a deep sense of devotion and aspiration for spiritual progress.