Bhaktamara Darshan

SR No.: 002588
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Rajyashsuri
Publisher: Jain Dharm Fund Pedhi Bharuch
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 436
Language: Sanskrit, English, Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 50 MB

Page 385

• STORY 2 - SIGNIFICANCE OF TIME FOR RECITATION • There was a sravak by name Sumati. He got initiated into Bhaktamara by his Guru and he was reciting it in all the three sandhyas with due discipline, faith and confidence. When there was a cyclone in the ocean he started reciting Bhaktamara and at the 4th sloka Cakresvari appeared before him and gave him five gems.
Here the importance of three times recitation and during sandhyas (twilight zones) is pointed out. Even a little effort at sandhyas will be highly efficacious and the gods too are immensely pleased. Sandhyas have been held important for mantra repetitions and dhyanas and the regular religious studies (svadhyaya) too have been excluded from being performed at sandhyas.
• STORY 3 - SIGNIFICANCE OF MIRACLE A sravak by name Sudhan in Pataliputra convinces the King Bhima too to be a firm and practising sravak. A yogi by name Dhulipa gave trouble to the citizens. He removed all the troubles with the help of Cakresvari whom he had pleased by the recitation of the 7th verse. Yogi learnt a lesson and was exiled too. Influenced by these so many people took to Bhaktamara recitation.
People are generally carried away by miracles and then are drawn to religion gradually and they become really interested in spiritual practices and overcome interest for miracles and their mundane fruits.
• STORY 4 - SIGNIFICANCE OF VOWS AND SELF-DISCIPLINE This story reveals the greatness of 8th and 9th verses. The main character influenced by the preaching of non-violence chose to practise it and recite Bhaktamara regularly. When he was suffering from thirst, Cakresvari gave him water and saved his life. With the help of Cakresvari he constructed Adinath Temple in one day.
This story speaks of the importance of yama and niyama to the worshippers of The Bhaktamara. Without them no mantra will yield any result. Yama and niyama help strengthen the resolve of aspirants. Incidentally they would have followed the orders of Jinesvara too. Hence the worshippers should try to practise yama and niyama too.
• SIGNIFICANCE OF VIDYA The narration is not directly connected with Bhaktamara. It speaks of the stories of Nami and Vinami in brief (referred to already under Mantra and Vidya). Sri Dharanendra taught 48.000 mantras to Nami and Vinami and made Vidyadevis also appear before them. Finally the clan of Vidyadharas was established. Nami and Vinami reached moksa along with two crores of sadhus at Satrunjaya, served Rsabhadeva too. They became equal to him by this. This story perhaps signifies that Vidyadharas could make Vidyadevis appear before them by the chanting of vidyas.
• STORY 5 - SIGNIFICANCE OF PLAYING LUTE. This pertains to the sravak Kapardi. He used to recite Bhaktamara with single pointed devotion on his lute. When he was reciting the 11th verse, Cakresvari appeared before him and blessed him that the heavenly cow Kamadhenu would be at his doorsteps that evening. Kamadhenu visited him accordingly and gave him thirty-nine pots of milk and vanished. The milk turned into gold. He insisted again to Cakresvari to send the cow once more so that he could give a feast to the King with the kheer made from Kamadhenu's milk, which could be offered to acaryas too. To the wonder of everyone Cakresvari fulfilled his desire.
Acarya Hemacandra quoted the verse "yais santaraga rucibhih" (verse no 12) as an example in his work on aesthetics - Kavyanusasanam. Acarya Hemacandra is definitely a historical person and his attachment and devotion to Bhaktamara is natural. It appears from this story that Cakresvari devi might have taken the form of Kamadhenu cow. The nature and place of Kamadhenu in Jainism is subject of research even to this day. This story prompts us to think further
Rahasya Darshan
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