Stambhanak Pur Mandan Parshwanath Stotra Yugal

This document, titled "Stambhanakpur Mandan Parshwanath Stotra Yugal" (A Pair of Hymns to Parshwanath, the Adornment of Stambhanakpur), edited by Amrut Patel, presents two previously unpublished hymns dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, referred to as the "Adornment of Stambhanakpur."

Source and Dating: The hymns have been compiled from two palm-leaf manuscripts held in the collection of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyamandir in Ahmedabad.

• The first hymn, "Stambhanadhipa Parshvanath Stotra" (Hymn to Lord Parshvanath, the Ruler of Stambhanakpur), is of unknown authorship. It begins with the verse "Givarnachakra." Its manuscript is cataloged as grant no. 15936 and measures 26 x 11 cm. It is estimated to have been written around the 18th century.
• The second hymn, "Stambhanak Parshwajin Stotra" (Hymn to the Jain Lord Parshva of Stambhanakpur), is also of unknown authorship. It commences with the verse "Jananaandamakanda." Its manuscript is cataloged as grant no. 5809/1 and is a single palm-leaf. It is estimated to have been written in the 16th century.

Analysis of the First Hymn ("Givarnachakra" Stotra):

• This hymn is composed in the Vasantatilaka meter.
• It employs various figures of speech such as metaphor, ananvay (a type of comparison), and upama (simile) to effectively convey its sentiments.
• Verse 10 ([Page 3]) simply describes the characteristics of attachment (rāga), aversion (dveṣa), and delusion (moha).
• Verse 12 ([Page 3]) references the "Mattadvipendra" verse from the renowned "Bhaktamara Stotra" and draws a parallel with the phrase "bhayen bhīyaiva" (out of fear of fear), relating it to the idea of being freed from fear through devotion to Lord Parshvanath.
• The concluding verse ([Page 4]) uses the word "bhuvanasankhyamitaih" (counted by the number of the universe), where the word "bhuvan" (universe) possibly hints at the number 14. The editor suggests that this might subtly indicate the author's name, as it's not uncommon in shorter works like hymns for the number of verses to be encoded.

Analysis of the Second Hymn ("Jananaandamakanda" Stotra):

• This hymn is characterized by its pleasant and polished language.
• It also utilizes figures of speech, including similes.
• The first three verses are adorned with Vṛttyanuprāsa (alliteration).
• Verse 4 ([Page 4]) includes the refrain "Mudā stomi Pārvaṁ jinaṁ Stambhaneśam" (With joy, I praise Parshva, the Lord of Stambhanakpur).
• The hymn creates melodic beauty through the repetition of sounds, contributing to a rhythmic flow, particularly in the Bhujangaprayat meter.

Historical Context: The text notes that the worship of Lord Parshvanath of Stambhanakpur was also praised by Acharya Abhaydev Suri, the author of the Navāṅgavṛtti, in 1075 CE. His Apabhramsha hymn, "Jay Tihuvaṇa Stotra," is mentioned. The two hymns presented in this publication add approximately ten more significant compositions related to the glorious "Stambhana Parshva" to the existing body of literature.

In essence, this document provides a scholarly introduction and presentation of two valuable, previously unstudied Jain hymns dedicated to Lord Parshvanath, highlighting their linguistic features, thematic content, and historical significance within the context of Jain devotional literature.