BHAKTAMBER STOTRA------A DIFFERENT THINKING-----------JAINISM-------------!!!.

Friends recently I read a good article written by Shri Virsagarji Jain. I liked his thinking process. Hence sharing it in blog so one can give it a thought with due thanks. Accordingly we  all failed to understand metaphor that is used to make this composition to reach to masses. Metaphorical story goes like this. King Raja Bhoj put a Jain monk

Aacharya Mantungcharya in jail locking with  48 locks. He asked saint to use all his power to get free. Aachryaji  composed 48 stanza in praise of Thirthankar bhagwan Rishabhdeo. At the end saint could break the lock and got free. The author said that this cannot be truth given the history of Raja Bhoj. He was too good to put Jain monk in jail. Even Jain monk takes things as they arise respecting his Karma part let us see what would have really happened as author visualize. 

In his view king might have called conference of 48 intellectuals of all religions or experts and believer of divergent philosophy. This is time of chaos all thinkers confusing public by different view of God. 

King asked them to express views for true God whom to worship. Aacharya gave them all patient hearing. Lastly he made his point. He thought mere exchange of arguments will not prove any thing as no  one has actual seen God or know truth. It is all individual's version of imagination. He started his version by humble admission that his own intellectual level is just like a kid who think a reflection of moon in water to be real moon. He continued to add one by one

virtues of first God of our period Pujya Aadinath Bhagwan. Devotees called Rishabhdeo Bhagwan Aadinath with respect as He is the first who is pioneer and founder of Dharma. Aadi means to begin and the name Aadinath suggest the beginner of Dharma. Slowly he informed the august house that they may call him by all different names such as Brahma, Vishnu ,Shiv .Eshvar, Yogishwar, Purshottam, Buddha or Jinendra. They all are referring to pioneer Rishbhdeo Bhgawan only. 

When the words have limitations ,how they can describe this noble soul who is beyond any shape (Nirakar) or flaws (Nirvikar) beyond

imagination (Achintya),non perishable (Avyava),countless virtues, (Asankhya),boundary less (unlimited Anant - Dyan and Darshan).He tells the gatherings through 24 Shloka that you may call Him by any name, He is real God who possess true knowledge and crystal clean.

He used word "Amal-Nirmal" means far away from flaws( Kashay)

A soul after giving up  love, affection, Kashay become"Vitraag".His devotees after knowing His such great qualities give up worshipping all other deities. It makes them fearless from any war, fire, diseases and all other such calamities. In stanza 11 and 20 Aacharya advice to stay away from God who are not "Vitraagi" making comparison of  salted water of sea  and pieces of glass with Khirsagar's Amrit water and pearl. He said to worship only Kashay free Vitraagideo.In his opinion Rishabhdeo Bhagwan is only true sun, true moon and true

lamp. Such true source can only enlighten the world without a single doubt or issues. I feel without much controversy all gathered agreed to his version. We are unfortunate that majority of us chat this noble composition to ask and gain for material things. We grossly failed to understand the meaning of his last 48 stanza. By using name Laxmi" he is not referring goddess of wealth. He mean the highest position of wealth. It cannot be other than salvation .Let us give it a thought.

We Jain owe a huge debt to Aacharya Mangtugacharyaji for this unique and marvelous composition. Let us grasp it's true meaning.

Thirthankar's name with true feeling is enough to clear our sins .If sins are reduced our sufferings can  get reduced. Then why to expect miracles-- ?.Let us keep the sanity of this holy and pure composition.

Let us also check history .If Jail story is wrong let us rectify painting

JAI JINENDRA-------------!!!----------JAI MAHAVER-----------!!!.