Tirthankar 16 Shantinath Bhagwan Parichay

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Tirthankar 16 Shantinath Bhagwan Parichay" by Munishri Dipratnasagar:

This book, "Shri Shantinath Parichay," is part of a series introducing the Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers who establish Jainism) and focuses on the 16th Tirthankara of the current era in the Bharata Kṣetra, Bhagwan Shantinath. It presents information about him across 185 points, or "dwaras" (doors of knowledge).

Key Information and Compilation:

• Author/Compiler: Munishri Dipratnasagar (with degrees in M.Com., M.Ed., Ph.D.)
• Publisher: Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
• Date of Publication: October 25, 2017 (Kartik Sud 5, 2073 VS)
• Source Material: The compilation draws heavily from traditional Jain scriptures, including:
  • "Saptatishthana Prakaran" by Somtipatrisuri
  • "Āvashyaka" Niryukti and Vritti
  • "Pravachana Saraudhar"
  • "Tirthodhdhābh"
  • "Trishashṭiśalākāpuruṣa-charitra"
  • "Vṛhad-vṛittam"
  • "Samavāya" Sūtra
  • Agam texts (Kathanuyoga)
• Scope: While primarily focused on Shantinath, the book also incorporates information about the other 23 Tirthankaras.
• Note on Variations: The compiler acknowledges that there can be variations in numbers and details across different ancient Jain texts. He explicitly mentions instances where the number of Gandharas (chief disciples) or other figures differs between sources like the "Samavāya" Sūtra and "Tirthodhdhābh," or variations in the counts of female ascetics. He notes that these discrepancies are recorded in his "Agam Kathanuyoga."

Summary of Bhagwan Shantinath's Life and Teachings (as presented in the excerpt):

The book details Bhagwan Shantinath's life, beginning with his previous births and culminating in his omniscience and liberation. Here are some highlights from the provided pages:

Previous Lives and Path to Tirthankarahood:

• Number of Lives: 12 previous lives were spent in pursuit of the Tirthankara qualities.
• Key Previous Births: These include roles as King Shriṣeṇa, a Yuǵalika in Uttarakuru, a celestial being in Saudharma and Prāṇata heavens, a Baladeva in Mahavideha, King Vajrāyudha, a celestial being in the Naivēyaka heaven, King Megharatha, and a celestial being in Sarvārthasiddha.
• Reasons for Binding Tirthankara Karma: The text lists 20 factors that contribute to binding the Tirthankara karma, including devotion to Arhats, Siddhas, the doctrine, venerable monks, learned scholars, ascetics, continuous concentration on knowledge, adherence to vows without transgression, humility, daily duties, vows without transgression, samādhi (meditative absorption) in action, donation, and propagation of the faith.

Birth and Early Life:

• Celestial Being in Previous Life: He resided in Sarvārthasiddha, an Uttara Vimāna (highest heaven).
• Descent (Chyavan): He descended from the heavens on the 7th day of the dark fortnight of Śrāvaṇa (Bhadrapada Krishna 7 in classical reckoning).
• Conception: His mother, Achira Devi, conceived him on the 7th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (Śrāvaṇa Krishna 7).
• Dreams: His mother saw 14 auspicious dreams, starting with an elephant, followed by a bull, lion, Lakshmi, flower garland, moon, sun, flag, full pot, lotus pond, ocean of milk, divine chariot, pile of jewels, and extinguished fire.
• Nature of Pregnancy: The pregnancy was "concealed," meaning his mother's physical form did not change due to the pregnancy.
• Birth Details:
  • Born in the city of Gajaipur in the Kuru country.
  • Birth Nakṣatra: Bharani
  • Birth Rashi: Aries
  • Birth Tithi: 13th day of the dark fortnight of Vaishakh (Jyeshtha Krishna 13 classical)
  • Time of Birth: Midnight
  • Era: Latter half of the fourth era (as the fourth era was nearing its end).
• Divine Reception: Upon his birth, 64 Dik-Kumāris (directional maidens) from various directions arrived to assist, performing purification and showering fragrant water and flowers. They also carried mirrors, fans, and ewers.
• Abhisheka (Consecration): 64 Indras (celestial kings) also arrived. They performed various services, including creating his reflection, placing him on their laps, bathing him with 1008 pitchers, anointing him with sandalwood paste, adorning him, and showering him with wealth.
• Parents: His mother was Achira Devi, and his father was King Viśvasena.
• Caste and Lineage: His gotra was Kashyapa, and his lineage was Ikṣvāku.
• Physical Attributes:
  • Lanchhana (Symbol): Deer (Mṛga).
  • Meaning of Name: "Shantinath" signifies one who brings peace, removes distress, and promotes tranquility.
  • Physical Marks: Possessed 1008 auspicious marks.
  • Physique: Sanghanana (bone structure) was Vajra Rishabhanārācha, and Sansthāna (body form) was Samachaturasra (perfectly square).
  • Height: 40 Dhanuṣa (cubits) using Utsadhāṅgula, 120 Anguḷa using Ātmāṅgula, and 9 Anguḷa using Pramāṇāṅgula.
  • Complexion: Yellow (Kāñcana), radiant and luminous.
  • Strength: Infinite strength.

Adult Life and Renunciation:

• Knowledge in Householder Life: Possessed Mati, Śruta, and Avadhi jñāna (mind-sense, scriptural knowledge, clairvoyance).
• Marriage and Family Life: He was married and engaged in worldly affairs with his wives.
• Rule: Ruled as a Chakravarti (universal emperor) for 25,000 years.
• Renunciation (Dīkṣā):
  • At the age of 82, after ruling.
  • The Lokāntika celestial beings arrived to announce the auspicious time for his renunciation.
  • Dīkṣā Tithi: 14th day of the dark fortnight of Vaishakh (Jyeshtha Krishna 14 classical).
  • Dīkṣā Nakṣatra: Bharani.
  • Dīkṣā Rashi: Aries.
  • Time of Dīkṣā: Afternoon.
  • Asceticism at Renunciation: Undertook penance equivalent to six and a half days of fasting (Chhaḍ-bhakta).
  • Palanquin: His palanquin was named Sarvārthī.
  • Disciples at Renunciation: 1000 men accompanied him in renunciation.
  • Place of Renunciation: Left from Gajaipur city and entered Sahasrāvana forest.
  • Tree of Renunciation: Under an Ashoka tree.
  • Hair Plucking (Loch): Performed five handfuls of hair plucking.
  • Immediate Knowledge: Gained Manahparyāva jñāna (mind-reading knowledge) immediately upon renunciation.

Period of Asceticism and Enlightenment:

• First Meal (Pāraṇā): Received on the second day, consisting of sweet rice pudding (Paramānna), from Sumitra.
• Period of Asceticism: Remained a Sthita-kalp (monk following specific rules) for 25,000 years.
• Vow of Austerity: Practiced Varsa-dāna (charitable distribution of wealth) daily, amounting to 1 crore and 8.75 lakh coins.
• Period of Unmanifested Knowledge (Chhadmastha): Remained in this state for 1 year.
• Omniscience (Kevalajñāna):
  • Attained at the age of 82.
  • Tithi: 9th day of the bright fortnight of Paush (Paush Sud 9).
  • Nakṣatra: Bharani.
  • Rashi: Aries.
  • Time of Enlightenment: Forenoon.
  • Location: Gajaipur city, Sahasrāvana forest.
  • Tree: Nandīvṛkṣa (sacred fig tree).
  • Height of Tree: 12 times the Lord's body height (480 Dhanuṣa).
  • Penance at Enlightenment: Mass Kṣamaṇa (month-long fasting).

Enlightenment and Teachings:

• Aishvaryas (Supernatural Powers): Possessed 34 Aishvaryas, acquired from birth (4), by celestial beings (19), and upon the destruction of karma (11).
• Qualities of Speech: His speech had 35 virtues.
• Pratihāryas (Divine Embellishments): Accompanied by eight Pratihāryas: Ashok tree, five-colored flower shower, divine sound, white chowries, lion throne, halo, drumbeat, and parasols.
• Freedom from Defects: Free from 18 defects, including the five interruptions to giving, strength, enjoyment, and usage, as well as disgust, fear, ignorance, sleep, restlessness, desire for sensual pleasures, laughter, sorrow, hatred, wrong faith, attachment, and aversion.
• Establishment of the Tirth (Spiritual Order): The spiritual order was established in the first council.
• Duration of Teachings: His teachings lasted until the time of Bhagwan Kunthunath.
• No Interruption: There was no break in his spiritual order.

Disciples and Followers:

• Chief Disciples: First Gandhara was Chakrāyudha, and the first Sādhvī was Śruti.
• Followers: The text enumerates the number of ascetics (62,000), nuns (61,600), laymen (290,000), laywomen (393,000), omniscient beings (4,300), mind-readers (4,000), clairvoyants (3,000), Pūrvas (those who have mastered the 14 Pūrvas, 800), holders of Vaiśriyalabdhi (miraculous powers, 5,000), disputing monks (2,400), and ordinary monks (41,464).
• Key Devotees: Chief royal devotee was Kauṇāla.
• Attendant Deities: Yakṣa: Garuda, Yakṣiṇī: Nirvāṇī.

Discontinuation of Practices and Liberation:

• Vow Structure: Ascetics follow four Mahāvratas (great vows), and laymen follow twelve vows.
• States of Conduct (Charitra): Bhagwan Shantinath embodied three states of conduct: Sāmāyika (momentary equanimity), Sūkṣmasamparyāya (subtle passions), and Yathākhyāta (perfectly pure conduct).
• Tattvas (Principles): Understood the nine principles (living beings, etc.) or the three gems (right faith, right knowledge, right conduct).
• Liberation (Moksha):
  • Duration of Life: Total lifespan of 1 lakh years.
  • Renunciation Period: 25,000 years.
  • Kevalajñāna Period: 25,000 years minus 1 year (24,999 years).
  • Time of Liberation: 13th day of the dark fortnight of Vaishakh (Jyeshtha Krishna 13 classical).
  • Nakṣatra at Liberation: Bharani.
  • Rashi at Liberation: Aries.
  • Time of Liberation: Early part of the night.
  • Location of Liberation: Sammet Shikhar (Pareshnath Hill).
  • Posture at Liberation: Kāyotsarga (standing in meditation).
  • Height at Liberation: 26.67 Dhanuṣa.
  • Penance at Liberation: Month-long fasting (Māsa-kṣamaṇa).
  • Number Liberated with Him: 900 souls.
  • Era at Liberation: Latter half of the fourth era.

Post-Liberation:

• Funeral Rites: Cremation (no burial or other rituals).
• Future Eras: The book mentions his role in the creation of Yugāntakṛta and Paryāyāntakṛta lands.
• Intervals: Bhagwan Kanthunath attained nirvana half a pūlgyopam (an immense unit of time) after Bhagwan Shantinath.
• Unique Events: No specific startling events are mentioned during his teachings.
• Other Universal Figures: Bhagwan Shantinath himself was a Chakravarti. No Vasudevas, Baladevas, or Prativasudevas emerged during his time.

Overall Purpose:

The book aims to provide a detailed and structured understanding of Bhagwan Shantinath, covering all aspects of his life, from his previous births to his ultimate liberation, drawing upon a wide range of classical Jain texts. It is presented as a guide for understanding this significant spiritual figure within the Jain tradition.