English adaptation by Manish Modi, Mumbai
Mahaveerashtak Stotra is a prayer to Bhagwaan Mahaveer, composed by the scholarly poet, Pandit Bhag Chandra, who lived in the early twentieth century. The prayer is in Sanskrit and it is a gem of a literary work. Nevertheless, the insightful poet has taken very little poetic freedom while presenting the basic principles of the Jain religion. - D. C. J.
He, whose consciousness mirrors infinite substances - living and non-living,
in all their modifications - origination, destruction and permanence, at one time;
who lights up the path to salvation (MOKSHA MAARG) like the sun; and is omniscient;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
He, whose eyes are lily white - without passion, like a pair of lotus flowers;
whose gaze is resolute and unwavering, eliminating people's deep-seated anger;
and whose posture is absolutely calm and tranquil, reflecting sublime equanimity;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
He, whose feet glow with the luster of crown jewels of INDRAs paying obeisance,
and are capable of giving respite to worldly beings from the affliction of rebirth,
whose very remembrance works like water to quench the fires of transmigration;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
Even a frog, aspiring to worship Mahaveer Swami with great devotion and joy,
forthwith attained birth in heaven - ocean of happiness adorned with all virtues!
Hence it is not surprising that virtuous devotees of Mahaveer Swami attain NIRVANA;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
Blessed with a body like burnished gold yet unattached to it; strange yet unique;
born to King Siddharth but disengaged and disinterested in worldly affairs,
beyond attachment, beyond rebirth - in an inimitable transcendent situation;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
Whose doctrine, comparable to a vast, profound and pure Ganges of knowledge,
with waves of multifarious viewpoints, is a source of inspiration to worldly beings.
Even today, savants take a dip in that stream of knowledge like swans on a river;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
He who, even as a youth, conquered through his willpower, Cupid,
the god of love, who holds the inhabitants of the world under his sway,
to attain the eternal, beatific and peaceful kingdom of salvation (MOKSHA);
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
He, whose teachings constitute effectual remedy for the affliction of deep delusion;
who is a veritable magnanimous friend, unconcerned with worldly affairs;
who is auspicious, conspicuous for sheltering aspirants of spiritual progress;
may such auspicious Mahaveer Swami appear in my vision.
All those who recite and comprehend this Mahaveerashtak Stotra, written out of
devotion by Bhagendu, shall ultimately attain the supreme goal of salvation.