Prasamrati Prakarana

Author(s): Umaswati, Umaswami, Mahesh Bhogilal, V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Nita M Bhogilal & Others

Page 21

Vācaka Srimad Umāsvāti's
Praśamarati - Prakaraņa
1. Glory and Victory to all the 24 Jineśvaras beginning with Śri Rşabhadeva, the son of Nābhirãi, to Śrī Vardhamāna, (Mahāvīra), the son of king Siddhārtha, who in their last bodily state showed the way to the 10 kinds of Dharma.
2. After prostrating myself before Jineśvaras, Siddhas, Ācāryas, Upādhyāyas and Sädhus, I shall say a few things in accordance with the utterances of these Jineśvaras, so that non-attachment or the distaste of all worldly things, becomes firm.
3. This religion of the Omniscient, which is full of jewels, namely, the infinite ways of explaining, the many synonyms and similar words, the many relative ways of reasoning and comprehending, and the many words, used (in explaining the true Dharma) - is, however, very difficult to enter for men of little knowledge like my self.
4. Into this “city of religion”, even though I am bereft of knowledge and am of a little intelligence, I wish to enter without thought of my inadequacies, so that I may pick up a few of the remaining notes of this - the greatest convoy of Religion - just as a beggar enters the city to pick up a few grains of food (which have fallen on the road when the convoy carrying grains has passed.)
5. These great preachings of the Jinas (Jinavacana) are like an ocean. And many great poets, and learned men who have crossed to the other shore, have written many works that lead to true non-attachment (Vairāgya).
6. Some of what they have said and also that which is according to the 12 original Agamas both these, because of repeated passing