Nav Smarana

Author(s): Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi

Page 56

These fourteen jewels are considered best at winning wars and only the chakravartins have them
The Chakravartins also have the following nine 'treasures'. Any great king would have the best army, the best ministers and craftsmen carrying out all sorts of professional activities. This is as good as having great treasure.
The nine treasures (nav-nidhi) are:
1. Good planning and the establishment of towns and houses (naisarpa). 2. General knowledge of ploughing, mathematics, music, etc. 3. Art of clothing and dressmaking for men, women and even animals. 4. Having all fourteen ratnas described above. 5. Art of washing and dyeing cloth. 6. Knowledge of astrology and architecture, etc. 7. Knowledge of metallurgy. 8. Knowledge of warfare and weaponry. 9. Expertise in art, music, poetry, drama, etc.
(13) (About Ajitnätha) O the one born of the Ikshvaku family!, king of Videha!' The best amongst all men!, The best amongst all sages!, O the one with a beautiful face like a moon on a full moon night (sharad purnimä)!, the destroyer of darkness!' The bright one!, O Ajit!, O best one, you have limitless strength due to your own light and virtues, I bow down to you as you can remove the fears of life and you are the refuge of the whole world, please be my refuge too.
(14) (About Shäntinätha) You are worthy of worship by the chiefs (indras) of the devas and dänavas, by the sun and the moon. You are pleasant and bright (with the whiter teeth). You are great because of your strength, fame, contentment, intelligence and self-control, you are worthy of meditation, having greatest fame in all the worlds, and you are the one who is worth knowing. O Shäntinätha! please give me samadhi and peace of mind.
(15) and (16) (About Ajitnätha) I praise that Ajitnätha, who is softer then the bright moonshine, brighter than the uninterrupted sun's rays, more handsome than Indra, more stable than mount Meru, unconquerable by any one's mental or physical strength and the one who cannot be conquered by anyone practicing the twelve types of tapas (austerities) or the seventeen types of samyam (self-control).
The twelve austerities are as follows: The first six are termed as external and the remaining six are internal, 1) Fasting - carried out according to the strict regulations laid down by Jain spiritual teachers. 2) Eating in moderation. 3) Abandoning feelings of greed. (limiting the number of dishes one eats). 4) Eating without feelings of attachment to food. 5) Self-imposed hardships to train one's mind. 6) Control of the body and senses.
Jain tattava Prakash by Amolakh Rushi
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