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Exposition of Pratikramana Stotras
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75
41. Varakanaka Sutra
Object: Hymn of praise for 170 Pathfinders.
Sutra and Meaning: વરકનક શંખ વિદ્રુમ મરકતઘનસન્નિક્ષે વિગતમોહમ. સપ્તતિશત જિનાના, સર્વામર પૂજિત વંદે. varkanaka shankha vidruma, markata ghan sannibham vigatamoham; saptatishatam jinänäm, sarvämara pujitam vande. I bow to 170 passionless Pathfinders some of whom have complexions: yellow like a pure gold, white like a conch-shell, red like a coral, green like an emerald or dark black like rain-clouds.
Explanation: There are 5 Bhärata, Airävata and Mahävideha continents. There is one Tirthankara present at the same time in each Bhärata and Airavata continent, thus 10 Tirthankaras are present in these 10 continents. Each continent of Mahävideha has 32 territories, thus there are (5x32) =160 territories of 5 Mahävideha continents. There are 160 Tirthankaras in Mahävideha as there is one Tirthankara present in each territory. Thus there are (10+160) 170 Tirthankaras in all. In the present time cycle only during Lord Ajitnath's, the second Tirthankara of our time all 170 Tirthankaras were present.
42. Shri Bhavana Devatä Stuti
Sutra and Meaning: ભવણદેવયાએ કરેમિ કાઉસ્સગ્ગ, જ્ઞાનાદિગુણયુતાનાં, નિત્ય સ્વાધ્યાયસંચમરતાનામ: વિદધાતુ ભવનદેવી, શિવ સદા સર્વસાધૂનામ. bhavanadevayäe karemi kaussaggam, gnänädigunyutänäm, nityam swädhyäyasamyamaratänäm; viddhätu bhavanadevi, shivam sadä sarva sädhunäm. I stand in body-abandonment posture to worship the Mansion Dwelling Goddess (Bhavana Devatä). Bhavana Devi is always benefactor to monks with right knowledge etc., and those who practice restraints (sayama) and give religious discourses.
