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thieves therafter. How did he reach this stage ? Sri Abhayadeva Suri had presented Jinahak an idol of Sri Parsvanatha with the idol of Cakresvari and also initiated him in Kalikunda Parsvanatha mantra. He advised him to recite The Bhaktamara Stotra daily.
Jinahak used to recite Bhaktamara and the mantra all the three times daily devotedly. Cakresvari sent a gem to him through her attendant and asked him to wear it always. Jinahak became the commander-in-chief soon. He caused a beautiful idol of Parsvanatha made of touchstone to be sculpted and consecrated it through Sri Abhayadeva Suri in a serene temple.
The faith in Jainism of this layman is fit not only to be read but also to be followed. And we also know that goddesses some times bless through their attendants too.
• STORY 21 - SIGNIFICANCE OF SELF-EXPERIENCE.
Raja Soma was influenced by the teachings of Sri Vardhamana Surisvarji and accepted Jainism. He used to recite Namaskara mahamantra and Bhaktamara according to the instructions of his Guru. Once a princess Manorama got herself in danger, an elephant was chasing her. Then Soma saw her plight and recited 34th verse and with the help of Cakresvari saved the princess. He married her and became a King of her country too.
Gunakara Suri opines that these slokas themselves are mantras and are to be repeated in case of need. Because the verses themselves work as mantras, Sri Gunakara Suri has not suggested any other mantra to these verses. Hence verses 33 to 42 are for warding of fear of [1] elephant (2) lion (3) fire (4) sun (5) war (6) water (7) disease and (8) imprisonment respectively.
From his reference (vide Esu vrttesu vaksyamana tattadbhiharavrttavarna eva mantrah punah punah smartavyah. Ato naparamantranivedanam - comments on verse 34] it is clear that these very verses form the mantras. There is no need for recitation of any other mantra. But Haribhadra Suri is of different opinion and has stated a few other mantras too along with these verses.
On an analysis we can say that the verses themselves are mantras. But in the opinion of Haribhadra Suri other mantras are connected with these verses as svapna vidya and bandha mocini vidya are connected with 15th verse. But inspite of other mantras by Haribhadra Suri, these slokas themselves alone need be considered as mantras and recited in case of danger.
We can testify to the efficacy of this verse-mantra by our personal experience too. When myself and muni Nandiyash were traversing through the Ooty forests, a lone elephant was charging towards us. We were frightened. Thinking it to be our last moments we went to the side of the road and started reciting Namaskara mahamantra and istamantra and the 34th verse of Bhaktamara. The elephant was calm when it came near us and touched me with its trunk and went away. Some ten years have passed by. But even now the incident sends horripilation in our body. Bhaktamara Stotra is unique and incomparable. It is attended not only by Cakresvari but by Padmavati too.
• STORY 22 - SIGNIFICANCE OF DAILY RECITATION •
Devaraja was poor but a believer in Jainism. He was rich and happy in his mind to recite Bhaktamara. He used to recite Bhaktamara daily. When luck becomes favourable men are led in the direction of prosperity. Devaraja proceeded to foreign countries for trading. Some other merchants too joined him. The route was through a thick forest. They were forced to spend the night in that terrible forest. Some time later they saw a lion coming towards them and all merchants approached Devaraja. He too with great faith started repeating the 35th verse of Bhaktamara and the charging lion became calm and quiet. It even bowed to Devaraja and gave him three priceless gems. Other people realised that all these were due to Devaraja only. He made them understand the greatness of dharma and taught them jain tenets. This sloka should be recited not just at the time of crises but daily with concentration. It is said that, one will not remember, what is needed at the crisis, if he does not chant it daily. The story reveals the importance of daily recitation.
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