Shatrunjay Giriraj Darshan in Sculptures and Architecture

Author(s): Kanchansagarsuri
Publisher: Aagamoddharak Granthmala

Page 39

Shri Shatrunjay Giriraj Darshan
nath and Abhinandan Swami had their Samavasarans on Shatrunjay, and 'Samavasarans' of future 19 'Tirthankaras' will be definitely held here". Even the twenty-second 'Tirthankar', Shri Neminath performed the pilgrimage of Shri Shatrunjay while as a "Grihasthi'. .
Shri Dhaneshwarsuriji suggests that even a single devotional listening of Shatrunjay Mahatmya is far more rewarding than listening to all other 'stotras' combined. Siddhachal is the best pilgrimage in all the fourteen 'Kshetras'. Among Tirthas', Siddhachal is the best; among gods, 'Tirthankar' is the best; and among 'Poojas', 'Meditation' is the best. Therefore, meditation upon 'Tirthankar' on Siddhachal is beyond words ! Even by the rememberance of Shri Pundarikgiri, the mental, the oral and the bodily sins committed by ignorant people are eradicated. Even the wild animals reach heaven by having 'Darshan' of the 'Arihant'. It is said that one who has not seen the Giriraj has missed a great opportunity of his life.
When Lord Mahavir came with his disciples to Giriraj, 64 Indras landed on Shatrunjay. They arranged for 'Samavasharan'. The king Ripumall respectfully requested Lord Mahavir to give them 'Deshana'.
MAHAVIR 'VANI' ON SHATRUNJAY
Lord Mahavir says, "O Indra, the significance of Shatrunjay can be experienced, but cannot be described. How can a dumb man describe the taste of sugar ? The sins are eradicated just by remembering the name of Shatrunjay. It has 108 names. Assets are multiplied and adversities are averted just by reciting 108 names of Shatrunjay every morning. Siddhachal is the best pilgrimage on the face of earth."
"One attains far more 'Punya' by worshipping Shatrunjay than that of Ashtapad, Meru, Vaitadhya, Sametshikhar, Vaibhar, Pushkar, Ghataki and Jambuvruksha, in descending order.'
"In 'Avasarpini Kaal' magnitude of Shri Shatrunjay decreases (along with the rest of the world) while in 'Utasarpini Kaal' every thing gradually increases. In 'Avasarpini's First Aara (era) 80 yojans, second 70's, third 60's, fourth 50's and fifth 12 yojans was the magnitude of Shatrunjay, whereas in the sixth Aara its size will be 7 'Haaths' (1 Haath = approx 1.5 ft) and hence the Giriraj is eternal."