$JES 302 Jain Philosophy Level 3 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 12

TIRTHANKARS Tirthankar Stutis: There exist many Stutis praising the qualities of Tirthankars in Jain literature. Following is the list of some popular Stutis.
Logassa Ujjoyagare (Chaturvishati Stav) Sutra - This sutra is recited in praise of the twenty-four Tirthankars. It consists of names of each Tirthankar and their qualities. Namutthunam (Shakra Stav) Sutra - This sutra is sung by Indra the king of Celestial Beings in the praise of Arihantas (present and past). In this stuti, only their virtues are stated without any specific names. Bhaktamar Stotra - This is most popular Stotra and is accepted by both Digambar and Shvetämbar Jain sects. This was composed by Acharya Manatung-suri in praise of Tirthankar Rishabhadev. Anandghana Chovisi - Jain monk Shri Anandghanji who was a great poet has composed 24 Stutis (one stuti for each Tirthankar) in praise of twenty-four Tirthankars.
Role of Celestial Beings: There are other significant events also in the life of a Tirthankar. After Tirthankar's soul is conceived, the mother has fourteen dreams as per Shvetämbar tradition (Digambar texts mention two additional dreams making the total to sixteen). A Tirthankar's soul, while even in mother's womb, possesses three types of knowledge, namely Mati Jnän (sensory knowledge), Shruta Jnän (scriptural knowledge), and Avadhi Jnän (clairvoyance). Celestial beings (Indras and other heavenly beings) are devoted to Tirthankars and take part in ceremonies like birth and the bathing of newborn on Mount Meru.
One year before the time of renunciation, a group of celestial angels come to pay homage to the future Tirthankar. They remind him/her to renounce the world and re-establish religious order for the benefit of all living beings. When a Tirthankar renounces the worldly life, he attains Manah-Paryaya Jnän (telepathy), the fourth type of the knowledge, which enables the Tirthankar to read the minds of other living beings. Celestial beings also participate in the celebrations of other Kalyanaks and for setting up 8 Pratihärya during sermons given by Tirthankar.
Conclusion There are five very auspicious events in the life of a Tirthankar. They are conception, birth, renunciation initiation into monkhood), attaining omniscience, and nirvana. A Tirthankar has acquired the Tirthankar-Näm Karma in the second previous life by having an intense desire to alleviate the suffering of all living beings. The fruits of that karma resulted in the soul being born as a Tirthankar Bhagawan. We celebrate these five major events of the Tirthankar's life in the form of PanchaKalyänak Pujäs. The nirvana places of Tirthankars are pilgrimage places. Tirthankars are supreme human beings and our faultless human models in whom we take spiritual refuge.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE I