Thou art sinless maker of Dharma’s bridge,
saints call Thee Dharma by name,
In flames of meditation burnt karma, acquiring stable bliss,
a benefactor, ye became.
O Lord like the full clear moon, surrounded by
the stars in the sky (In preaching hall)
Thou art surrounded by men celestial beings, Gandharas quite
high.
Adorned with preaching hall’s dignity even then
from Thy body Thou art indifferent.
Preaches path of liberation for all, but damn care for result
of religious rule a percent.
Pious soul, with intention of doing work, are not
deeds of body speech, thought. Thy actions are with minute
observation, Patient Lord ! they are beyond thought.
For Thou hast crossed human nature, among gods art worship able God,
Inspire us for Salvation, O Lord Jinendra Dharma, the supreme God !
Bhagwan
Dharmanatha, the 15th Tirthankara of the jain tradition , was born
in Ratanapuri (now Raunahi in Faizabad of U.P. near Ayodhya).
The name of his mother was Suvrata and that of his father was Bhanu
Nripa who belonged to Kasyapa gotra and the Iksnvaka line of ancient
Indian kings. Bhanu Nripa was himself was a great king. His wife,
queen Suvrata, was very pious lady and was celebrated for the
numerous acts of piety which she performed, particularly during her
pregnancy. It is why the child she gave birth to, was named as
Dharmanatha ( the Lord of Piety). Moreover, it has been
predicated that newborn would one day become a great savior and
would by his relentless preaching show to the suffering humanity the
path to salvation.
There were great rejoicing at his birth and when he became of
age he ascended the throne of his father and ruled over his subjects
with law and piety. All the time, however, his mind was fixed on the
day when he would renounce the world and devote himself to the
fulfillment of his mission as a Tirthankara. The day of the great
renunciation came and Dharmanatha, giving up every worldly
possession and attachment, went to the nearest forest named Salvana,
and took vows of the order. He practiced severest austerities,
annihilated the karmic forces, attained kaivalya and became the
Arhanta. Then he proceeded on his tour of wandering, preaching
to the suffering humanity and gospel of Ahimsa and showing it, not
only by precept, but by actual example, the true path of salvation.
Thus this great benefactor of all living being fully justified by
his name. The lord of Piety like the Shramana thirthankars who went
before him and those who came after him. Lord Dhrmanatha hammered
into the minds of his contemporaries the truths "Live and let
Live"; ' Do unto others what you would them do unto you'; ' Be
truthful in thought, word and deed; 'Do not covet that which, does
not belong to you'; ' keep your senses and passion under control';
'Try to realize the value of renunciation, sacrifice and
possessionlessness '; and 'make Ahimsa the true way of life'.
In the end this Tirthankara attained Nirvana at
Sudattavarta-kuta of mount Sammedachala. There is a
shrine at the top of this peak which mark the spot of Nirvana. |
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