Uvassaggaharam Stotra Swadhyay

This document is a comprehensive scholarly analysis of the Uvassaggaharam Stotra (ઉવસગ્ગહર સ્તોત્ર), a highly revered Jain hymn dedicated to Lord Parshvanatha. The book, titled "Uvassaggaharam Stotra Swadhyay" (ઉવસગ્ગહર સ્તોત્ર સ્વાધ્યાય), was authored by the esteemed Jain scholar Bhadrabahuswami and compiled and edited by Amrutlal Kalidas Doshi and Subodhchandra Nanalal Shah, published by Jain Sahitya Vikas Mandal.

The book delves deeply into the Uvassaggaharam Stotra, providing an exhaustive study that includes:

• Ancient Texts and Commentaries: The analysis adheres to ancient Jain texts and their commentaries (vrittis).
• Multi-faceted Explanation: It offers a comprehensive and multi-dimensional explanation of the stotra.
• Detailed Contents: The book includes question-and-answer sections, annotations (tippani), miscellaneous thoughts (prakirna vichar), diagrams (yantra), mantras, texts containing mantras (mantragarbhit sanskrit), and various types of diagrammatic representations (yantra-alekhan prakar).

Key Aspects Covered:

• Origin and Authorship: The stotra is attributed to Acharya Bhadrabahuswami, the last Shruta-keshavali and fourteen-purvadhar, highlighting its profound authority. The composition is noted to be in Jain Maharashtri Prakrit.
• Significance in Jain Tradition: It is recognized as a highly influential stotra, recited as a "Nav-smaran" (nine essential remembrances) during significant religious ceremonies like Shanti Path and deity consecrations. Its placement after the Namokar Mahamantra underscores its importance.
• Mantra and Yantra Integration: The stotra is rich with mantras and yantras, believed to possess the power to destroy all forms of calamities and bestow spiritual enlightenment.
• Connection to Panch Parameshthi: A significant aspect is the stotra's connection to the five supreme beings (Panch Parameshthi) of Jainism. The initial letters of the first five verses are interpreted as representing Upadhyay, Sadhu, Acharya, Arihant, and Siddha, demonstrating the underlying power of the Namokar Mahamantra.
• Linguistic and Semantic Depth: The analysis explores the rich semantic variations of words within the stotra, presenting multiple interpretations for key terms to reveal deeper meanings. This includes exploring the connections to Lord Parshvanatha, his associated Yaksha (Parshva Yaksha), the Naga king Dharanendra, and the goddess Padmavati.
• Numerical Significance: The book highlights the numerical depth of the stotra, suggesting that the stanzas, through various interpretations, offer a total of 12,800 ways of praising Lord Parshvanatha.
• Historical and Literary Context: It discusses the historical context of the stotra's composition, potential dating, and the various commentaries (vrittis) written on it over centuries.
• Inclusion of Visuals: The book is illustrated with several images of Lord Parshvanatha's Murtis and intricate Yantras relevant to the stotra, enhancing the reader's understanding.
• Scholarly Approach: The analysis demonstrates a meticulous approach, referencing numerous ancient Jain scriptures and literary works, and providing a detailed list of these foundational texts. It also includes a meticulous correction slip (shuddhipatraka) for textual inaccuracies.
• Philosophical Underpinnings: The text explores the philosophical concepts of Bhaktiyoga and Mantrayoga within Jainism, discussing the nature of devotion and the efficacy of mantras and yantras in achieving spiritual and worldly goals. It addresses the potential misinterpretations of divine intervention and emphasizes the power of faith and devotion.
• Mantra Methodology: The book details three primary methods of mantra practice: Sumuni-nirmit Mantra-vad (mantras created by sages), Devata-ashrit Mantra-vad (mantras associated with deities), and Mantra-atmaka Devata-vad (where the mantra and deity are considered inseparable).

In essence, this book serves as an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a profound and scholarly understanding of the Uvassaggaharam Stotra, its manifold layers of meaning, its spiritual power, and its integral role within the Jain tradition. It is presented as a guide for "Swadhyay" (self-study), aiming to deepen devotion and understanding for the benefit of the seekers of Jain knowledge.