Tirthankar 23 Parshvanath Bhagwan Parichay - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Tirthankar 23 Parshvanath Bhagwan Parichay," in English:

Book Title: Tirthankar 23 Parshvanath Bhagwan Parichay Author(s): Munishri Deepratnasagar Publisher: Munishri Deepratnasagar Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/035123/1

This document is a detailed overview of the 23rd Tirthankar, Lord Parshvanath, presented in 185 "doors" or categories. The author, Munishri Deepratnasagar, has compiled this information from various sacred Jain scriptures, including "Saptatishat Sthan Pravar" by Somatisuri, "Aavashyak Niryukti," "Tirthodadhi Panno," "Pravachan Saroddhar," "Shatkhandaagam," "Trishathishalakapurush Charitra," "Samvay Chaturth-Masoosutra," and other Agama texts.

The compilation began around 2001, but due to the author's extensive work on Agama scriptures, it was delayed. The publication of his 561st book provided him the opportunity to complete this work. While "Saptatishat Sthan Pravar" forms the foundation, the author has incorporated information from other texts and even omitted some points from the primary source to ensure comprehensiveness.

Key Points and Information about Lord Parshvanath:

The text meticulously details various aspects of Lord Parshvanath's life and characteristics, covering his previous births, the causes of his Tirthankar-namakarma (the karmic accumulation that leads to becoming a Tirthankar), his birth, divine attributes, and his spiritual journey leading to liberation. Here's a breakdown of key information presented across the pages:

Previous Lives and Karmic Causes:

Lord Parshvanath had ten previous births before attaining Tirthankar status. These include births as Marubhuti, Hastin, Sahasrar Dev, Karanveg Vidyadhar, Ayutat Dev, Vajranabh Raja, Madhyam Raivyak Dev, Suvarnabahu Raja, Pranat Dev, and finally as Parshvanath.
His Tirthankar-namakarma was earned through the adoration of twenty specific virtues or actions. These include love for Arihants, Siddhas, the teachings (Pravachan), gurus, senior monks (Sthavirs), learned monks (Bahushrut), ascetics (Tapasvi), continuous use of knowledge, flawless perception (Niratischar Darshan), humility (Vinay), performance of essential duties (Aavashyak), unwavering vows (Niratischar Sheel), unwavering observances (Niratischar Vrat), momentary meditation (Kshan Lava Samadhi), meditation during penance (Tap Samadhi), meditation during renunciation (Tyag Samadhi), meditation during service (Vaiyavachch Samadhi), acquiring unprecedented knowledge (Apuvagyan Grahana), devotion to scriptures (Shrutbhakti), and promoting the faith (Pravachan Prabhavna).
In his previous life as Anand, he was a Mandalik Raja (a king) and his guru was Damodar. He had also attained the Pranat Devloka (a heavenly realm) and lived for 20 sagaropam years.

Birth and Early Life:

Descent (Chyavan): Occurred on Chaitra Vad 4 (Gujarati: Fagan Vad 4), under the Vishakha nakshatra in the Tula rashi, during the middle of the night.
Conception: His mother, Vama Devi, saw 14 auspicious dreams, which are listed. It's noted that the order of these dreams is consistent across all Tirthankars, with the first dream being a bull for Rishabhdev.
Garbha Samharan: This event (where the mother's stomach shape doesn't change due to the hidden nature of the fetus) did not occur for Lord Parshvanath.
Birth: Born on Posh Vad 10 (Gujarati: Magsar Vad 10), under the Vishakha nakshatra in the Tula rashi, during the middle of the night. He was born towards the end of the fourth era.
Birthplace: Born in Varanasi city, Kashi Desh.
Divine Reception: Upon his birth, 64 Indras (celestial kings) descended from various realms (Vaimanik, Jyotishka, Bhavanpati, and Vyantar) to perform his birth rituals. They bathed him with 1008 pots of perfumed water, adorned him with sandalwood paste and flowers, dressed him, and showered him with wealth.
Parents: Mother: Vama Devi. Father: Ashvasen Raja.
Gotra: Kashyap.
Lineage: Ishvaku dynasty.
Symbol (Lanchhan): Serpent.
Height: 19 hands (Utsadhagul), 120 fingers (Atmagul), 27 Angsha (Pramanagul).
Complexion: Blue-green (Neel).
Physique: Possessed 1008 auspicious physical characteristics, with a superior body structure (Anuttar Vajrutrakshanaranch) and a perfect body form (Anuttar Samachaturs). His strength was infinite.
Food: In childhood, he consumed nectar from the Indra's thumb; later, he consumed special foods like Odana.
Marriage and Family Life: He was married and engaged in sensual pleasures with his own wife. He lived as a prince for 30 years but did not rule as a king or Chakravarti.

Spiritual Journey and Attainment of Enlightenment:

Renunciation (Diksha): He took diksha at the age of 30, without experiencing kingship. The diksha occurred in the first part of the day under a Vishakha nakshatra in the Tula rashi.
Rituals at Diksha: He performed Ashtam Bhakta penance. He left from Varanasi city, from the Ashrampada forest, under an Ashoka tree. He performed "Panch Mushti Loch" (plucking hair five times with his fists).
Immediate Enlightenment: Upon taking diksha, he attained Manahparyavagyan (mind-reading knowledge).
First Alms: His first alms were received from Dhanya, who attained liberation in his third life.
Auspicious Events at First Alms: The reception of his first alms was accompanied by the proclamation "Ahodaan!" and five divine phenomena: divine musical instruments, showers of gold coins, perfumed water, flowers, and clothes.
Period as a Kshdmastha (Pre-Enlightenment): He remained in this state for 84 days.
Enlightenment (Kevalgyan): Attained on Chaitra Vad 4 (Gujarati: Fagan Vad 4), under the Vishakha nakshatra in the Tula rashi, in the eastern part of the day, in Varanasi city, at the Ashrampada forest, under a Dhatakivruddha tree. The tree's height was 12 times that of his body.
Tapas: At the time of Kevalgyan, he was performing Ashtam Bhakta penance.
Atishayas (Miraculous Attributes): He possessed 34 atishayas, with 4 present from birth, 19 bestowed by the gods, and 11 arising from the destruction of residual karmas.
Vachana (Speech): His speech had 35 qualities, including Sanskrit pronouncements.
Pratiharyas (Celestial Regalia): He was accompanied by eight Pratiharyas: Ashoka tree, flower shower, divine sound, white chowries, throne, halo, drumbeat, and umbrella.
Freedom from Defilements: He was free from 18 defects, including greed, aversion, ignorance, sleep, passions, etc. This state was attained by Lord Mahavir as well.

His Spiritual Order (Tirtha):

Tirtha Origin: Occurred with Lord Parshvanath.
Period of Tirtha Activity: The period of his Tirtha's functioning.
Period of Tirtha Disruption: The period when the continuity of his Tirtha was broken.
Key Disciples:
- First Ganadhar: Aryadatta
- First Sadhvi: Pushpachula
- First Shravaka: Sudyot
- First Shravika: Sunanda
- Chief Devotee King: Prasenjit
- Yaksha: Parshva
- Yakshini: Padmavati
Followers: The text lists the number of monks (16,000), Sadhvis (36,000), Shravakas (1,64,000), and Shravikas (3,36,000) during his time. It also details the number of Kevalis (1000), Manahparyavajnanis (750), Avadhijnanis (1400), Chaudapoorvis (350), Vaiyavrik-labdhidharas (1100), Vadimunis (500), and ordinary munis (10,790). He also had 1200 Anuttaropapatik munis.

Final Liberation (Moksha):

Period of Penance: He practiced penance for 70 years.
Total Age: 100 years.
Endurance of Hardships: He endured hardships like cold, heat, hunger, thirst, etc., with equanimity.
Destination: Attained liberation (Siddhi Gati) in the abode of eternal and unobstructed bliss.
Funeral Rites: Cremation rites were performed.
Moksha Date: Shravan Sud 8 (Gujarati: Shravan Sud 8), under the Vishakha nakshatra in the Tula rashi, during the first part of the night.
Location of Moksha: From Samet Shikhara mountain.
Posture at Moksha: Kayotsarg (standing in meditation).
Height in Moksha: 6 hands.
Penance at Moksha: Mas-kshamana (fasting for an entire month).
Fellow Liberators: 33 individuals attained liberation with him.
Era at Moksha: Occurred at the end of the fourth era, 253 years and 8.5 months remaining in the era.

Additional Information:

The text mentions that during his reign, there were no Chakravartis, Vasudevas, Baladevas, or Pratìvasudevas.
The document concludes with contact information for Munishri Deepratnasagarji Maharaj, highlighting his extensive work in compiling and publishing Jain literature.

In essence, "Tirthankar 23 Parshvanath Bhagwan Parichay" is a meticulously researched and comprehensive guide to the life and teachings of Lord Parshvanath, serving as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand this important figure in Jainism.