________________
Comments: The same attribute has been presented in the Bhaktämara Stotra in the following manner:
The glorious halo (bhä-mandal) around you which surpasses the brightness of all luminous objects in the universe, dispels the darkness of the night, is more bright than the countless suns put together and still it is as cool and soothing as the moon.
In this case, the verse in the Kalyan Mandir seems to place the glory of bhä-mandal in a more beautiful manner and it also mentions the theory of karma in a very subtle way. The attachment to anything or to anybody causes a flow of karma particles, which bind a soul and pollute it. The particles also form an invisible aura (lesyä), which changes as per his mental attitude. Here the poet very wisely states that the glory of the Tirthankara helps in removing the colours of attachment and that also helps in the removal of karma particles. The Bhaktämara Stotra does not mention karma in a direct or an indirect way when describing the bha-mandal aspect, but it does glorify the bhä-mandal by saying that it has qualities, which surpasses that of both the sun and the moon.
Verse No. 25 (7) Celestial Drum:
O God! I believe that the celestial drum which is resounding in the sky announces to the three worlds: O living beings shake off idleness, approach and resort to the leader of the caravan (i.e. You) leading to the city of the final emancipation.
Comments: In the case of this attribute of the celestial drums (Dundubhis), both the Bhaktämara Stotra and the Kalyan Mandir Stotra more or less say the same thing: viz. the deep and high sound of drums proclaims the victory of the propagator of the true religion, and plays the tunes of his fame.
Verse No. 26 (8) Canopy
O Lord! The moon has been deprived of her illumination because you have illuminated the worlds. The (round disc of the) canopy over your head, which is studded with pearls, looks like the moon, with a cluster of stars (in the form of hanging pearls), standing in attendance to serve you.
Comments- As far as the description of three tiered canopies (Chhatra) goes, the verse in the Bhaktämara Stotra captivates reader's hearts. Whilst the Kalyan Mandir Stotra is saying that the moon is assuming the body of the canopy, the Bhaktamara Stotra narrates the phenomenon thus: The three canopies (Chhatra- trayam), adorn the space over your head. These canopies are like a white, glowing moon, and have prevented the heat of the rays of the sun. The beauty of these canopies is greatly increased by the swinging pearls (on them), which again proclaim your supremacy over the three worlds. This vivid description paints a beautiful picture in one's mind while reading the verse. The idea of swinging pearls singing the supremacy of the Tirthankara is simply marvellous.
Verse No. 27 O Lord! You shine in all directions on account of the triad of the walls which are beautifully made of rubies, gold and silver. The triad of your lustre, prestige and glory fill the three worlds and are amassed together.
71