Agam 44 Chulika 01 Nandi Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

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NandiSootra
level all around the mountain), (2) Nandan forest (at a height of five hundred yojans from the ground level), (3) Somanas forest (at a height of 62, 500 yojans from Nandan forest, (4) Panduk forest (at a height of 35,000 yojans from Somanas forest). It has three sections filled with gold, silver and gems respectively. It has a peak forty yojans high. This is one of the highest mountains in the world.
The metaphor of Meru Mountain given to sangh is like this - Right perception is its base. Discipline, self-control, codes and subduing of passions are its golden rocks. Sublime, pious pursuits are its high cliffs. Self-study, chaste disposition, contentment etc. are its forests that provide bliss to gods and human beings. Twenty eight types of labdhis (special skills, attainments or powers) including Amarsh (the healing touch) are the divine herbs found on this mountain.
The ascetics are like wish-fulfilling trees. Pure streams of samvar (the level of purity of attitude where the inflow of karmas is blocked) flow here. As the Meru mountain remains unmoved and stable even in the midst of terrible hellish storms and deluge, so remains this religious organization of the Jina amidst the verbal tirade of the antagonists.
*PRAISE OF THE TWENTY FOUR JINAS*
[018, 19] MEANING - I offer obeisance with reverence to these twenty four Tirthankars of this regressive cycle of time:
[1] Rushabh, [2] Ajit, [3] Sambhav, [4] Abhinandan, [5] Sumati, [6] Padmaprabh, [7] Suparshva, [8] Chandraprabh, [9] Suvidhi, [10] Sheetal, [11] Shreyans, [12] Vasupujya, [13] Vimal, [14] Anant, [15] Dharma, [16] Shanti [17] Kunthu, [18] Ar, [19] Malli, [20] Munisuvrat, [21] Nami, [22] Nemi (Arishtanemi), [23] Parshva, and[24] Vardhaman.
*THE LIST OF GANADHARS*
[020, 21] MEANING -There were eleven Ganadhars (principal disciples) who managed the organization established by Bhagavan Mahavir:
1. Indrabhuti, 2. Agnibhuti, 3. Vayubhuti (these three were brothers), 4. Vyakt, 5.Sudharma, 6. Manditputra, 7. Mauryaputra, 8.Akampit, 9.Achal Bhrata, 10. Metarya, and 11. Prabhas.
COMMENTARY -The Teerth (ford of religion) is established by the Tirthankars who are absolutely detached and omniscient. The first step taken at the time of establishing the Teerth is to formally initiate the Gandhars.
These are exceptionally talented individuals of their period. As soon as they are initiated they acquire the Ganadhar labdhi (a special power) which instantaneously expands their scriptural knowledge.
They absorb the first utterance of the Tripadi (all knowledge compressed into three words) by the Tirthankars and, with the help of their sharp intelligence, expand it into the stream of much coveted scriptural knowledge.
The work of translating the words into the chain of Agams is accomplished by the Ganadhars. In Bhagavan Mahavir's order there was eleven Ganadhars and nine Ganas (groups within the organization).
The senior most or the first Ganadhar was Indrabhuti Gautam. The fifth Ganadhar was Sudharma who became the first head of the order after the nirvana of Bhagavan Mahavir. All the extant shramans (Jain ascetics) belong to the lineage of disciples of Ganadhar Sudharma. Aagam- 44 -NandiSootra
Compiled by- Deepratnasagar