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## A Hymn to Mahavira Embodied with Four Atishayas
The first verse of the hymn, using the knowledge of Avadhigyan, recognizes the extraordinary power of the Lord's self-strength. Impressed by this, Indra bestowed the title of Mahavira upon Lord Vardhaman at that very moment. Other reasons for receiving the name Mahavira: _ The immense capacity to uproot the karmas bound as knots and smooth in countless births, and the effort to achieve this, are also reasons for the title Mahavira. His parents named him Vardhaman. Others addressed him as 'Shraman' and 'Devarya'.
Thus, the purpose of bowing down to Mahavira is explained here.
The four epithets - 'Durvara Ragādi-Vairivar Nivarinē', 'Arhate', 'Yogināthāya', and 'Tāyinē' - reveal the four well-known Atishayas of the Tirthankara Mahavira. These four Atishayas are: 1. Apayapagamātishaya, 2. Pūjātishaya, 3. Jñānātishaya, and 4. Vachanātishaya. Apaya refers to obstacles, hindrances. Raga, Dvesha, Kama, Krodha, etc., are obstacles in the practice of Vitaragata. By removing these obstacles in the form of enemies like Raga, etc., the Lord's self-nature manifests as Apayapagamātishaya. Therefore, the first epithet 'Durvara Ragādi-Vairivar-Nivarinē' for Lord Mahavira is meaningful.
• By destroying the enemies like Raga, Dvesha, etc., the Lord attained the Arihant state; for this reason, he became worthy of worship (Arhat) by all gods, Asuras, and humans. Therefore, the second epithet 'Arhate' signifies the Lord's Pūjātishaya.
By the power of pure Kevalgyan, the Lord is the master of all Yogis, being the complete knower of the nature of the Lokaloka and the welfare of all beings. Therefore, the epithet 'Yogināthāya' reveals his Jñānātishaya.
The Lord delivers his nectar-like sermons for the protection of all beings in the world, and through this, all beings in the world receive the gift of fearlessness. In this form, the Lord's Vachanātishaya is evident. Therefore, his fourth epithet 'Tāyinē' (protector) is also meaningful. All beings understand the sermons of the Tirthankara Mahavira in their own language. This is why, through his all-being-touching sermons (Dharmopadeśa), the Lord shows the way for beings in the world to escape birth, old age, death, etc., and truly protects their souls. Therefore, he is the true protector, nourisher, and guardian of the entire world. Even lions, tigers, etc., protect and nurture their young, but that nurturing is filled with attachment. The Lord's nurturing and protection of all beings is free from attachment, selfless.
Thus, by describing the four Atishayas, the hymn praises the ultimate truth of Lord Mahavira. Now, the hymn praises the Lord Mahavira, who is embodied with Yoga.
**Verse 2:**
**Pannāge cha Surendre cha, Kaushike Pādasansprishi | Nirvisheshmanaskaaya, Shreeviraswamine Namah ||2||**
**Meaning:** My salutations to Lord Mahavira, who has the same mind (equanimity) towards both Surendra (Kaushika) who touched his feet with devotion and the Kaushika serpent who touched his feet with the intention of biting.
**Explanation:** In his previous birth, Chandakoushika was named Kaushika. When Lord Mahavira enlightened him, he said, 'Chandakoushika, attain enlightenment, awaken.' Indra's other name is also Kaushika. The Kaushika serpent touched the Lord's feet with the intention of biting, and Kaushika Indra touched his feet with devotion. The Lord had neither hatred for the Chandakoushika serpent nor attachment for Indra; he was free from attachment and hatred towards both, and he was equanimous.
**Note:** Other texts mention 17 names of the Lord: 1. Jnatakuloutpanna, 2. Videh, 3. Videhdatt, 4. Videhjatya, 5. Videh Sukumal, 6. Sanmati, 7. Mahateevir, 8. Mahavira, 9. Antya Kashyap, 10. Veer, 11. Devarya, 12. Jnatānwaya, 13. Jnatānandan, 14. Nataputra, 15. Vardhaman, 16. Nayaputta, 17. Charam Tirthankara.