Bhaktamara Stotra
Encyclopedia
Bhaktamara Stotra is the most famous of the Jain sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...

 prayers. It was composed by Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...

 Manatunga.

The name Bhaktamara comes from a combination of two sanskrit names, "Bhakta" (Devotee) and "Amar" (Immortal). So, it is said that by recitation of this Stotra, a person gets free from the worldly bonds, attains salvation, and hence becomes immortal.

भक्तामर-प्रणत-मौलिमणि-प्रभाणा-मुद्योतकं दलित-पाप-तमोवितानम्

सम्यक् प्रणम्य जिन पादयुगं युगादावालंबनं भवजले पततां जनानाम् || १||

यः संस्तुतः सकल-वांग्मय- तत्व-बोधाद्-उद्भूत- बुद्धिपटुभिः सुरलोकनाथैः

स्तोत्रैर्जगत्त्रितय चित्त-हरैरुदरैःस्तोष्ये किलाहमपि तं प्रथमं जिनेन्द्रम्||२||


As the second verse states, it is in the praise of the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabha. There is some variation in the number of verses of the available manuscripts; some have 48 verses, while others have 44 verses. A few have 52 verses. The last verse gives the name of the author Manatunga.

The Bhaktamar Legend

According to legends that are given in several texts, the Jain monk Manatunga was chained and imprisoned by the local King Bhoja. Manatunga composed his stotra (hymn) in the prison. With the completion of each verse, a chain broke, or a door opened. Manatunga was free when all the verses were finished.
TRANSLATED BY ANTARA RASHTREEYA UPADHYAY MUNI SHREE 108 MANOGNA SAGAR JI MAHARAAJ DISCIPLE OF AACHARYA SHREE 108 RAYANA SAGAR JI MAHARAJ 1) Having bowed down to duel feet duly of first Lord ,
Which brighten gems in crowns of prostrating Devas,
Destroying darkness of sins helping fallen,
In mundane ocean at the first of this creation

2) Prayer I do of that Lord who has been praised by
Lord of celestials with complete knowledge of
All principles and meritorious mind wonderful
Fantastic hymns which attract hearts of the three words.

3) Thy throne has been adored by angles Almighty
Myself without knowledge shameless try to do this
Expect the boy who else tries to catch the moon in water
Only because he doesn’t know the sky as the Moon place.

4) Bright like the Moon Thy features can’t be explained there
Even by angle preceptor with wide good knowledge
How can a man swim off sea vomiting the crocodiles
At the time of world destruction really impossible

5) Still I do the hymn of Thou Lord of saints ! Really
Shameless incapable just like that of deer which
Faces the Loin to protect child only of love there
This is the gift of Mature for Thy devotees

6) Though ignorant I am Lord Laughed at by scholars
But by devotion only Thy hymn is spoken off
Just like the Nightingale sounds very sweet in spring there
Seeing the bunches of buds of that fine mango

7) As the darkness of the night is destroyed by Sunrays
Sins acquired in the many births vanish by prayer
Immediately of Thou Oh! Lord completely
So I compose this Thy hymn for freedom early.

8) Drop of water on lotus leaf looks like the pearl there
People enjoy the beauty in the absence of the pearl
So this Thy hymn because of Thy greatness only
Cherishes the hearts of devotees even though I am small

9) Thou are devoid of all those eighteen defects Lord !
Only Thy name is enough for destroying sins Lord !
Just Like the Sun who very far away from the lotii
Blossoms them in the lakes by only the bright rays

10) Thou ornaments of universe ! Lord of all Living ones,
What wonder is there Oh ! Lord if you make like thou
What sis the use of that rich who can’t make sheltered one
Equal to him in wealth soon this is Thy greatness Lord.

11) One who sees once Thy beauty never goes to another
No satisfaction for eyes elsewhere expect Thou
Drinking the sweet water of Milk Ocean who likes
Sipping of the salt water of Atlantic Ocean

12) Atoms by which Thou were made quite beautiful ones
Only so much not more there in the world exist then
So parallel no man was there for Thou Oh ! Lord !
Thou art the Beauty of the three universe in total

13) Where Thy face which attract men heaven beings angles
Where that of Moon with many spots Which fades in the day Light
Thou art the Lord un parallel in the all three universe
He who compares Thy self with any one is not right

14) Thy fine and beautiful attributes even cross the three worlds
Who comes and shelter Thou Lord becomes free completely
None restrict him form going any where in universe
Just like the Moon rays move free in the Sky and else where

15) Thy heart is so strong even Heavenly Beauties couldn’t
Shake off at all no Wonder Does Great Mountain shake
Even by strong wind at the worlds destruction time there
Where small hillocks are powered Really Thou art Great !

16) Thou art the Great Light with no fume filament oil
Still Thou lighten the Three Worlds completely Oh Lord !
Even the wind which shaken Mountains also there
Can’t harm Thy light meritorious universal

17) Thou art The Great Sun never set Not caught by Rahu
Brightness the Three Worlds at a time rightly completely
Neither Clouds can come in Thy path nor can disturb you
Thou Excellent Sun ever shine blossom all of us Lord !

18) Thou art the Moon destroying delusion darkness
Neither disturbed by Clouds nor by Rahu any time
Thy Face louts is glittering with Great Light Oh ! Lord !
plendid Moon in The universe ever rising shining.

19) Why Moon in night ? Why Sun in day? When Thou art there?
Thy feet distruct the sins Lord! When grains are ripen
What is the use of Clouds filled with water in the field
No need of anything is there where Almighty is.

20) As knowledge exist in Thou Infinite Oh! Lord !
So not in Brahma Hari Har exist there Oh! Lord !
Greatness of luster of Gems is not there in Glass
Though fine it looks with many rays attractive only

21) People get satisfied only after getting Thou
But not with other Gods who have attachment aversion
When once one sees Thou Oh Lord ! in this existence
Will not be attached by any else in future

22) Hundreds of Ladies give birth for hundred Sons there
But no other Mother has , given birth for great Son ,
Equal to Thou only East gives birth for Bright Sun
Other directions give birth for many Stars and Planets

23) Thou Extreme Masculine Bright Spotless and Darkless
Saints offer Salutation Victor over death
After attaining Thy self this only is the Path
For Salvation from mundane worries. Lord of all the Saints

24) Thou In destructible ! Might ! In conceives Lord !
Un- countable the first, One , Supreme the Able
External ! Cupid-victor Thou ! Ascetic Master One !
Also many Knowledge-nature stainless Saints say

25) As Thou profess the Heavenly Thou are the Buddha
As Thou make all the three worlds Happy Thou Shankar !
Thou art the Bramha creating Path of Salvation
Thou art Jinendra Purushottama in this Universe.

26) Blowing for Thou who wash off worries of the Three Worlds
Blowing for Ornaments of this Beautiful Earth
Blowing for Lord of all these Three Universe now
Blowing for Great Lord who dries-off Mundane Ocean

27) What wonder is there when All Attributes have taken
Shelter in Thou only Lord ! Else where they are not
Even-in dream defects don’t appear near Thou
Ass all other give place and welcome errors Lord !

28) Just like the Sun who looks Fine in the midst of blue clouds
Expanding rays of bright Light Thy body Beautiful
In the midst of tree Ashoka shines there ever Lord !
Granduer of Samavasarana is Pratiharya

29) Thy Golden body oh ! Lord ! glitters in the Throne there
This Pratiharya Simhasana wonderful there
With beautiful gem rays bright just like the Sun Great
Rising over the of Udayachal Mountain.

30) White and beautiful Chamaras on the both side of Thy
Golden body which move up and down charmingly
Look like the water falls on both sides of Golden
Summit of the Meru Mountain with Moon Bright water.

31) Just like the Moon trio Thy parasoltrio with
Charming pearl group there brighter than Great Sun show that
Thou art the Lord ! of all these lower and higher
Also the middle Three Universe Bowings we do now

32) Wonder sounds of different Trumpets and Drums there
Produce in sky which indicate cheer for the Three words
Those Victors Sounds which Wringle Narrate Thy Great Fame there
This Pratiharya Dundubhi of Thou Almighty

33) Rose Lotus Jasmine Coral many kinds of flowers were
Showered there in Samavasarana reverse facing up Lord !
Perfumed drops of water with Fine Breeze Heavenly
Just like the Shower of Thy Words Fine and Diving there

34) Winning over the all Bright things in the Universe Thy
Bhamandal with the Light of the Suns Many shining Splendour
But cold also like Moon there exist behind Thou
So neither nights nor darkness Ever Light Delight there

35) Thou art the only Expert in the Three Worlds Oh ! Lord !
For explaining the Principles of the exact real Path
Thy voice Divine which emerges show us the path of
Heaven and Salvation for all in their all Languages

36) Where ever Thou keep Thy Feet Lord ! there those Celestials
Form the Golden lotii charming with bright rays
Still Thou art not attached with this Grandeur Oh ! Lord !
But this devotion is of those Heavenly beings

37) As Thy splender Glory Lord in the Samavasarana
At the time of Discourse Divine no other have this Grandeur
As Sun can destroy darkness with powerful rays there
Even the group of many Stars Planets can’t do this deed

38) He who has taken shelter in Thy feet Oh ! My Lord !
Will not be terrored with Elephant intoxicated
With temples swelling run out on which bees are roaming there
Coming up in front with anger paused by the bees there

39) He who has strong faith in Thy Feet firm like the mountain
Will not be attacked by even Cruel King Lion there
Which is breaking temples of that Elephant with blood swell?
With the pearl on earth sprayed there will

40) Even The Terrible Fire with increasing flame Lord!
By the air blowing highly in destruction time there
Burning and swallowing all things in the Universe
Will be put out by Thy Name Water completely

41) One who has Thy name in heart can cross the Serpent
Neck of which is blue like that of Nightingale there
Even with Hood standing eyes red with anger Lord!
Lust of the Snake gets destroyed by Thy Name Medicine

42) Just like the Darkness is destroyed by the Sun rays
Thy Hymn destroys the Strongest Army in which there
Horses are jumping Elephant are roaring with terroring
Noise of Soldier shouting weapons sounding harshly.

43) One who attains Thy scared feet-duels Oh! My Lord !
Will Victor over the battle however Greater be
With blood flowing like water by goad piercing
Soldiers on Elephant fighting on Horses speedily

44) One who always remembers Thinks of Thou only
Sitting in the boats to cross the Sea where in crocodiles are
Coming up in anger along with Whales wavering waves
Will reach the bank with very ease even through the water fire

45) Pearson who applies Dust of Thy Feet Lotii Lord !
If at all he is attacked by severs Disease which
Liking to make man die will soon become there
Pain Free and Beautiful Lord! Thy Miracle Great this

46) He who remember s always Thy Name Divine Lord !
Will get freedom by strong chain Bondage over him
Starting from feet to neck which crush the complete body
As Manatungasooree was freed in Dhara there

47) That man or women who reads this Divine Hymn of Great Lord !
Will be away from Fears of Elephant Line Fire
Serpent Battle Sea Illness Bondage all these Eight
With purity of heart and full Concentration

48) This Garland of Thy attributes Oh ! Lord ! Jinendra
Made of Flowers of Different colours Scented Beautiful
Has been composed by “MANOGNA” for sin destruction
Which makes the man who reads Rich Wise Gay Divine Fine?

History

Legends associate Manatunga with a ruler named Bhoja
Bhoja
Bhoja was a philosopher king and polymath of medieval India, who ruled the kingdom of Malwa in central India from about 1000 to 1050 CE. Also known as Raja Bhoja Of Dhar, he belonged to the Paramara dynasty...

. However Manatunga lived a few centuries before Raja Bhoja
Bhoja
Bhoja was a philosopher king and polymath of medieval India, who ruled the kingdom of Malwa in central India from about 1000 to 1050 CE. Also known as Raja Bhoja Of Dhar, he belonged to the Paramara dynasty...

 of Dhara
Dhara
In Hinduism, Dharā is one of the Vasus, gods of the physical cosmos. He represents the earth and the element earth, though Earth is usually the goddess Prithvi rather than a god. Dhārā is a Sanskrit term used to refer to the flow of a stream or waterfall.-External links:* "". .net....

 (Dhar, MP). He is identified by some scholars as Kshapanaka (the term implies a Jain monk), one of the Navaratnas
Navaratnas
Navaratnas Nauratan was a term applied to a group of nine extraordinary people in a emperor's court in India...

 in the court of legendary Vikramaditya
Vikramaditya
Vikramaditya was a legendary emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" was later assumed by many other kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King Chandragupta II and Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya .The name King Vikramaditya is a...

. An unidentified Sanskrit poet Matanga, composer of "Brahaddeshi" on music theory, may also have been the same person.The composition is done sometime in the Gupta
Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the...

 or the post-Gupta period, making Manatunga approximately contemporary with other nava-ratnas like Kalidasa
Kalidasa
Kālidāsa was a renowned Classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language...

 and Varahamihira
Varahamihira
Varāhamihira , also called Varaha or Mihira, was an Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer who lived in Ujjain...

.

There are many legends associated by the Bhaktamar stotra. There are several spots near Bhopal and Dhar traditionally associated with Acharya Manatunga.

Art

Bhatkamar is widely illustrated in paintings. At the Sanghiji temple at Sanganer
Sanganer
Sanganer is a town situated 15 km south of Jaipur, the capital of Indian state of Rajasthan. The town is famous for handmade paper industry, textile printing and for Jain temples. Sanganer prints are one of its own kinds, for the reason that patterns in bright colors are always printed on white...

, there is a panel illustrating each verse.

The verses of Bhaktamar are thought to possess special properties according to mantra-shastra. There is a mystical diagram, called "yantra" associated with each verse.
"Sadhak Shivaanand Saraswati" (Udayraj Gadnis) has painted a number of yantras associated with Bhaktamar stotra. In 2002 at an exhibition at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai, Chelsea Clinton visited the gallery and discussed spiritualism with the painter.

There is a temple at Bharuch with a section dedicated to the Bhatamar and its author Manatunga Acharya.

Several recordings of the Bhaktamar exist including one by Anuradha Paudwal
Anuradha Paudwal
Anuradha Paudwal is a popular playback singer in Bollywood in India.She has sung songs in Hindi, Marathi and Nepali.- Biography :She studied at Xavier's College in Mumbai. She was married to the late Arun Paudwal, who worked with music director S. D. Burman as his assistant...

 and a recent one by Gundecha Brothers
Gundecha Brothers
Umakant Gundecha and Ramakant Gundecha, known as the Gundecha Brothers, are leading Dagarvani dhrupad singers. They always sing together.-Early life and background:Gundecha Brothers were born in Ujjain into a Jain family....

.

External links


Texts

  • Bhaktamara Stotra of Manatunga, ed. HR Kapadia. Bombay, 1932; Ed. and trans. H. Jacobi.
  • Bhaktamara Stotra, edited and translated into Hindi by Nathuram Premi. Mumbai: Jain Granth Ratnakar, 1907.
  • Manatungacharya aur unake stotra, Dhaky and Shah, 1997.
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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