चन्द्रप्रभ स्तुति
By चन्द्रप्रभ, महाकवि पुष्पदन्त
Summary
The text is a Jain religious hymn or stuti dedicated to Chandraprabha, the eighth Tirthankara. It begins with a salutation to Chandraprabha, describing him as the moon among Jinas and the one who dispels darkness. The hymn praises his virtues, stating that he has conquered passions and is adorned with qualities like compassion, generosity, and protection of all beings. It describes him as having a pure mind, free from pride and delusion, and as a supreme being who overcomes great difficulties. The text also references the destruction of karmic bonds and the attainment of true knowledge. The hymn mentions that even the king of gods (Indra) worships him. It further describes Chandraprabha's physical form as worthy of being seen by Indra, with a body that is pure and radiant. The poet, identified as the great poet Pushpadanta, declares that he sings this ancient Purana, specifically the Ganesha Gita, in praise of Chandraprabha. The hymn includes a refrain (dhruvaka) that speaks of offering worship with beautiful words and lotus-like syllables. The overall content is a devotional eulogy, rich in metaphorical language, extolling the spiritual qualities and divine nature of Chandraprabha, and seeking to honor him through poetic recitation.
Conclusion
The implications of this document center on the preservation and transmission of Jain devotional literature, specifically the Chandraprabha Stuti by the great poet Pushpadanta. The text, a hymn of praise to the Jina Chandraprabha, employs rich metaphorical language to describe the Tirthankara's virtues, such as his compassionate nature, pure conduct, and power to dispel darkness and karmic afflictions. The outcome is the continued liturgical and literary use of this stuti within Jain tradition, serving both as a meditative tool for devotees and as a linguistic artifact of the Apabhramsha language. By recording this hymn, the document ensures that the spiritual and cultural significance of Chandraprabha, along with the poetic artistry of Pushpadanta, remains accessible for scholarly study and religious practice, reinforcing the enduring legacy of Jain hymnody.