Agam 44 Chulika 01 Nandi Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

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NandiSootra
NANDI SOOTRA (Meaning with Commentary)
*PRAISE*
THE PRAISE OF THE ARHAT (अरहंत)
[001]MEANING -Victory to the knower of all the species of beings, the ultimate teacher, the source of bliss, the lord of the universe, the kin of all beings, the ancestor of all ancestors
COMMENTARY -That which is ever changing and dynamic is called jagat (world). That where five types of astikaya (fundamental entities like matter, space, life etc.) including diva (living being) and dharmastikaya (motion or physical dynamism) always exist is called jagat. That which has chetana (senses) is called jina.
There are six classes of living beings earth-bodied, water-bodied, mobilebodied etc. The genus into which these beings are born is called yoni such as - deva (god) yoni, manushya (human) yoni, tiryanch (animal) yoni etc. One of the adjectives for Arihant Bhagavan is the knower of the place of origin of all matter and life.
Here the meaning of the term guru is one who imparts right knowledge of matter and life and the propagator and guide of dharma (religion, righteousness). Because of propagating the message of ahimsa and peace he is the source of bliss. The perpetuator of yoga-kshema is called naath (lord, protector). To obtain what is absent is called yoga and to secure what is obtained is called kshema. As the Arihant shows the method of acquiring and securing the unique samyagdarshan (right-perception), he is called naath. As he considers all beings just like him and wishes well-being of all selflessly he is called jagat-bandhu (brother of all). The eldest and the oldest individual in a family are called pitamah (grandfather); he always worries about the well-being of the family. As Arihant is the supreme benefactor of the whole universe, he is like a grandfather. As he is endowed with numerous grand spiritual attributes like jnana (knowledge) he is called Bhagavan.
PRAISE OF MAHAVIR
[002]MEANING-May sage Mahavir, the original source of all Shrut-jnana (the scriptures belonging to the oral tradition of Jains), the last of the twenty four Tirthankars and the guru (guide) of all universe be ever victorious.
COMMENTARY -The literature created by the Ganadhars, on the basis of the words uttered by Tirthankars, is called Shrut-jnana (the knowledge acquired by listening). The founders of the religious ford are called Tirthankars. Bhagavan Mahavir was the last or the twenty-fourth Tirthankar of this descending or regressive cycle of time.
[003]MEANING -May Bhagavan Mahavir, the illuminator of the universe with the divine light of Kewal-jnana (omniscience), the Jina (the conqueror of foes like attachment), the valorous (who is master of the self), who is worshipped by gods and demons alike and who is free of all dirt of karmas, ameliorate all.
COMMENTARY -Meaning of the term 'bhaddam' is 'May you be benefitted' or to wish well of someone. However, a Tirthankar reaches the ultimate state of bliss or acquisition; he is the embodiment of well-being. Therefore, in the name of the Tirthankars this is the wish about our own amelioration or universal well-being. Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
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Compiled by- Deepratnasagar