Viharman Jina Stavan Vishi Sarth - Book Summary

Certainly, here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Viharman Jina Stavan Vishi Sarth," based on the provided catalog link and the transcribed text:

Book Title: Viharman Jina Stavan Vishi Sarth (Twenty Stanzas of the Wandering Jinas with Commentary) Author(s): Shrimad Devchandji (original composition), Jatanshreeji Maharaj, Vigyanshreeji (commentary/explanation) Publisher: Sukhsagar Suvarna Bhandar Bikaner Year: Vir Samvat 2473 / Vikram Samvat 2007

Overview:

This book, "Viharman Jina Stavan Vishi Sarth," is a collection of twenty devotional hymns (stanzas) composed by the revered Jain scholar and saint Shrimad Devchandji. These hymns are dedicated to twenty specific Jinas who are currently wandering in the Mahavideh regions of the Jain cosmology. The book includes a detailed commentary (arth) and explanations by Acharyas Jatanshreeji Maharaj and Vigyanshreeji, making the profound spiritual and philosophical teachings accessible to a wider audience. The primary goal of the book is to promote spiritual knowledge and devotion among Jain followers.

Key Themes and Content:

The Twenty Wandering Jinas: The central focus of the book is the praise and glorification of twenty Jinas who are actively spreading the Jain dharma in the Mahavideh regions. Each of the twenty stanzas is dedicated to one of these Jinas.
Spiritual and Philosophical Insights: Shrimad Devchandji, known for his deep spiritual understanding and erudition, uses poetic and devotional language to convey profound Jain philosophical concepts. The commentary by Jatanshreeji Maharaj and Vigyanshreeji elucidates these concepts, making them relatable and applicable to the lives of the readers.
Core Jain Teachings: The stanzas and their commentary touch upon various fundamental principles of Jainism, including:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): The absolute necessity of non-violence towards all living beings, extending beyond humans to all six life-forms (ekendriyas to trasakayas).
- Anekantavada (Many-sidedness): The Jain principle of viewing reality from multiple perspectives, emphasizing the complex and relative nature of truth. This is highlighted by the discussion of "Nayas" (standpoints) and the concept of "Syadvada" (the doctrine of conditional predication).
- Karma and Liberation: The understanding of karmic principles, the cycle of birth and death, and the path to liberation (moksha) through right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
- The Nature of the Soul: The intrinsic purity and potential divinity of the soul, which is obscured by karmic coverings.
- Devotion and Spiritual Practice: The importance of unwavering devotion to the Jinas, meditation, and other spiritual practices for purification and self-realization.
Biographical Context of Shrimad Devchandji: The book provides a biographical sketch of Shrimad Devchandji, detailing his life, his conversion to Jainism, his scholarly achievements, his extensive travels, and his significant contributions to Jain literature. It highlights his influence and the esteem in which he was held.
Commentary and Accessibility: The detailed "arth" (meaning/commentary) provided by the Acharyas is crucial. It breaks down the poetic verses and esoteric philosophical points into understandable terms, offering explanations of complex concepts like the nuances of Nayas, the nature of bondage, and the path to liberation.
Structure of the Book: The book is structured with an introduction, followed by the twenty stanzas with their respective commentaries, and then includes an appendix and other related stanzas. The "Anukramanika" (Table of Contents) lists all the included stanzas, providing a clear roadmap of the book's content.
Appreciation for the Original Composition: The commentary often praises the beauty of Shrimad Devchandji's original composition, noting its spiritual depth, devotional fervor, and eloquent language.

Specific Examples of Themes Discussed (from the commentary):

Stanza 1 (Simandhar Jin): Discusses spiritual communism, emphasizing the soul's inherent nature being the same as the liberated souls, and the importance of faith, knowledge, and conduct.
Stanza 2 (Yugamadhar Jin): Explores the concepts of causality, action, and reaction, reflecting Jain philosophy's view on agency without a creator God.
Stanza 3 (Bahu Jin): Focuses on the principle of supreme non-violence, encompassing both the physical act and the underlying compassionate intent.
Stanza 4 (Subahu Jin): Details the nature of Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and the path to achieving it.
Stanza 5 (Sujat Swami Jin): Delves into the complex theory of Nayas and Syadvada, highlighting the Jain approach to understanding reality's multifaceted nature.
Stanza 6 (Svayambha Swami Jin): Explains the process of karmic sublimation and the soul's gradual spiritual evolution.
Stanza 7 (Rishabhanan Jin): Expresses the poet's deep devotion, seeing the human body and its faculties as meaningful only when dedicated to the Jinas.
Stanza 8 (Anantvirya Jin): Describes the true nature of soul-power (virya) and how it is obscured by karma.
Stanza 11 (Vajradhara Jin): The poet reflects on his own spiritual shortcomings and the struggle to overcome attachment to worldly desires and negative tendencies.
Stanza 12 (Chandranan Jin): Critiques the superficiality of religious practices in society and the importance of genuine spiritual understanding.
Stanza 14 (Bhujang Swami Jin): Discusses the distinction between inert (jada) and conscious (chetana) substances, explaining their respective qualities and interactions.
Stanza 15 (Ishwaradev Jin): Addresses the Jain perspective on omnipotence, arguing against an anthropomorphic, interventionist God and emphasizing the soul's self-realization.
Stanza 18 (Mahabhadra Jin): Uses allegorical language to describe the spiritual kingdom of the Jina, with virtues as soldiers and the soul as the kingdom itself.
Stanza 20 (Ajitvirya Jin): Highlights the path of spiritual practice that leads to immortality and liberation, emphasizing the transformative power of contemplating the Jina's virtues.

Significance:

"Viharman Jina Stavan Vishi Sarth" is a significant work for Jain scholars, practitioners, and devotees. It provides:

Spiritual Guidance: Offers insights into Jain philosophy and practice, guiding readers on their spiritual journey.
Devotional Enrichment: Inspires devotion through the beautiful hymns and their profound interpretations.
Preservation of Knowledge: Preserves the teachings of Shrimad Devchandji and the traditions of Jain scholarship.

In essence, the book serves as a spiritual beacon, illuminating the path towards self-realization and liberation through the veneration of the Jinas and the deep philosophical understanding embedded in Shrimad Devchandji's stanzas, made accessible by the insightful commentary.