03.Life Saving Through ‘Akibhav Stotra’ (Hymn of Praise)

Chapter - 3

Life Saving Through ‘Akibhav Stotra’(Hymn of Praise)
‘Akibhav Stotra’ a hymn dedicated to the first Tirathankar Adinath was composed by Jain Saint, Achharya Shri Vadiraj Ji Maharaj who had conquered all his contemporary disputants in doctrinal debate on spirituality and Reality. So a title of Vadiraj i.e. the king of right speakers was confessed upon him. Thus he was being called by that name. Due to operation and fruition of past ‘Karmas ’ he had generated leprosy.

Once as he was engrossed in meditation on the outskirts of the city, some jealous persons commented mockingly in the royal court that Jain Saints were ugly and affected .by leprosy. Among the Council of Ministers was present a prominent Jain- Minister who could not tolerate this mockery and in an uncon­trolled rage of anger stood up to declare that Jain Saints had always been masters of charming body like gold. The jealous persons retorted saying that they themselves had seen a leprous Jain Saint. The king, being in a fix hearing these contradictory statements, decided to see the Saint, the next day.

The Minister visited the Saint in the evening and having seen him actually leprous, was alarmed. He narrated the whole story to the saint and prayed to protect the religion for its procla­mation. After blessing the Minister, the saint immediately got en­grossed in devotion of Jinendra Dev. He evoked the first Tirthankar, Shri Aadinath Bhagwan, and concentrated in eulo­gizing his supernatural qualities. He thought of Kuber, the Trea­surer of heaven, who had caused rains of gold and jewels in Ayodhya six months before Shri Aadinath Bhagwan came over in his mother’s womb. Recollecting this incident, his thoughts ad­vanced and he began to murmur “when six months before your arrival from heavens in the mother’s womb the whole surface of forms into a golden one when I have enshrined you in the temple of my heart through meditation ? ” This eulogy came in the shape of the “Akibhav Stotra During course of such thinking his body transformed really into a golden one. In the morning,when the king visited the Jain saint and saw his shining golden body he was filled with anger realizing the evil intention of the miscreants who wanted to defame Jainism and Jain saints on false accusation, and declared punishment to them. But the Jain saint, Shri Vadiraj Ji Maharaj, an image of forgiveness narrated the whole incident to the king with facts and requested the king to pardon them which was readily accepted.

The Present incident is related to Achharya Shanti Sagarji and Pt. Sumer Chand Diwakar
Achharya Shanti Sagarji was the master of innumerable transcendental powers. But these powers are of no use to the impassive ascetics. However, sometimes they use these powers, out of affection, to save the life of their ardent devotees. This laudable incident is related to late Shri Sumer Chand Ji Diwakar, the great Pandit and the renowned writer of ‘Charitra Chakarvarti’ treatise.

A white spot of leprosy appeared on the forehead of Pandit Ji that slowly started spreading. He was so depressed that once he thought of committing suicide; but a good thought prevailed upon him making him to ponder that after having died with this heinous thought of suicide, he might have to endure sufferings in one of the rebirths. Nevertheless, he began to feel ashamed and avoided facing pepple. About fifty years ago people had several misconceptions about leprosy. They used to relate it with low conduct. Pandit Ji, the master of excellent conduct, was perturbed only with this anxiety. The destiny evoked a firm intention in him to share his sharing with others. Having firm faith, he pleaded with moist eyes.” O Lord! 1 am incapable of bearing the burden of ripening of karma (i.e. the fruition of my own sins, which have now come into operation) and am now filled with the vicious thought committing suicide. So I have come to you hoping for some solution.”

The saint showered his blessing, “Don’t worry! Your ailment will disappear soon. Begin reciting ‘Akibhav Stotra’ correctly thrice in a day”. He received this primary recourse, a basic formula of life, in the form of‘Akhibhav Stotra’. Pandit Ji recited intently ‘Akhibhav Stotra’ for about four weeks and the disease gradually diminished on its own. But a small white spot still remained. Pandit Ji said, “Maharaj Shri! This white spot is still there on the forehead.” The “Param Pujaya” Guru Achharya Shri touched his forehead raising his hand to bless him, and that white spot too disappeared instantly. Virtuous is the magical touch and the instant effect of unprecedented mystic power. The blessing of the Guru becomes an immediate act of fruitful virtue. This ambrosia­like gain of Guru’s blessing relieved Pandit Ji from the heinous act of suicide. This grace of Guru was also showered on Brihmachari Jin Das. The life of saint is meant for the benefit of the religion and its followers. Blessing of saints has ascent of psychic power, which is inspired for the sake of compassion.