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Verse 53
(bhavya jīvas), in a majestic congregation (samavasaraṇa) of the four classes of celestial beings (the Residential - Bhavanavāsī, the Peripatetic - Vyantara, the Stellar - Jyotiska, and the Heavenly-Vaimānika devas), the four orders of human beings (monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen), and animals. The congregation is set in the most imposing and grand surroundings created by the devas. The presence of Lord Jina (the Tīrthankara) in the congregation is always embellished with eight splendours called Prātihāryas. The Lord's divine voice, as a result of one of the eight Prātihāryas, is heard and enjoyed by all present in their respective tongue (ardhamāgadhi bhāṣa). Ācārya Manatunga (c. seventh century CE) describes its splendour in his everlasting creation Bhaktāmar Stotra: स्वर्गापवर्गगममार्गविमार्गणेष्टः
सद्धर्मतत्त्वकथनैकपटुस्त्रिलोक्याः । दिव्यध्वनिर्भवति ते विशदार्थसर्व
441011qhtaufutte qut: yelvet: 11 35 11 Your divine voice is a guide that illuminates the path leading to heaven and liberation; it is fully capable of expounding the essentials of the true religion for the benefit of all the beings of the three worlds; it is endowed with miraculous attribute that makes it comprehensible and understood by every listener in his own language.
Only a disciple of exceptional brilliance and accomplishment (riddhi) is able to fully assimilate, without doubt, delusion, or misapprehension, the irrefutable teachings of a Tīrthankara. The presence of such a worthy disciple or Apostle, called a Ganadhara, is mandatory in the congregation before the Tirthankara delivers His sermon.
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