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PREFACE
It needs hardly to be said that the efficacy of The Bhaktamara Stotra in mitigating the travails of devotees is everybody's experience. But atleast some of the devotees have the curiosity to know the method of its work. Since according to Jain philosophy the world is paudgalic i.e., atomic it is not entirely beyond our comprehension and control. A general doubt also is there in the minds of devotees as to the cause for differences in versions of such a popular text as The Bhaktamara Stotra some having forty-four and some forty-eight Slokas. The mantras and yantras have been published often times and number of reprints too will be required to fulfil the growing needs of the society. But though the older editions are good and legibly printed many new editions do not have such characteristics.
We had an idea in our mind to bring out a new edition of The Bhaktamara Stotra to fulfil the needs of modern day youth. Who else can we approach than our Rev. preceptor Sri Rajyas Surisvarji Maharaj. With his usual kindness he readily acceded to our request and shouldered the responsibility. He more than fulfilled our expectations. The Gujarati annotation of The Bhaktamara Stotra which was prepared by our Guruji long back was translated under his direct guidance. It was presented in the form of direct address to the youngsters so as to captivate them. The mantra and tantra sections are normally considered dry. But people who attend his discourses regularly know that he has the knack of making things easier and attractive. The difficult things are presented in question and answer form and explanations are offered in the style of village-elder's address to youngsters. We hope this will prove useful to every one.
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Preparation of a book of this magnitude required painstaking efforts and research for years together. One can understand the difficulties involved if one knows that the author and editor of the book is a great jainacharya and has the responsibility of renovating and consecrating sacred shrines of Jainism besides giving succour and direction to the laity. Our Acharya has admirably performed this task. We wonder how he could snatch some time to take up this responsibility too. Though we planned to release this illustrated edition long ago, the delay became inevitable as the original plan of 184 pages had to be given up and now this book is released with 436 pages with so many added features which are enumerated in a elsewhere page.
When his plans were known to other people they have come out quickly with their own illustrated editions. A videographer who browsed through the paintings borrowed them, videographed them and exploited them commercially even without our permission. We took it as his contribution for propagation of Bhaktamara. It taught us forbearance so to say.
As our Acharya has come in the mould of our ancient teachers he did not stop with giving annotations and explanations but suggested projects for further studies too, which any interested person can take up. It only shows his sound knowledge, confidence, humility and interest in the welfare of student community.
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Jain Education International 2010 04 2004
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