Jay Viyarāya Sutra
It is also known as Paṇihān Suttam. Praṇidhāna (प्रणिधान) means contemplation or meditation. Thus the essence of the sutra is purification of intentions or thoughts.
It begins with “Jay” praising the Lord who is without any attachment or aversion and ends with “Jay” in proclaiming the Jain doctrine to be the best amongst all philosophies.
It is important to bear in mind that Jainism is not a monotheistic philosophy and does not believe in an omnipotent God who punishes or rewards all living beings. Thus, in this prayer what does prabhāva (प्रभाव) mean as the Vitraga Lord does not favour or admonish any souls? The Lord can be compared to the glory of the Sun. It means that in Lords presence or following the Lord’s doctrine, all souls are blessed with embarking on the journey towards liberation.
The sutra is in Prakrit and the first two verses are believed to have been composed by Gandharas. This is the reason why the hands are raised to the forehand for the first two verses whilst reciting this prayer. The remaining three verses are Prakṣepa (प्रक्षेप) which means they were added later on by Acaryas.
The prayer mentions 13 utmost prārthana (प्रार्थना – request, solicitation, wish, desire) to attain liberation.
(i) Bhava Nirveda – disgust towards materiality which leads to cycle of birth and death
(ii) To move towards the path of spirituality by imbibing good qualities and virtues. There are 35 virtues enumerated to lead a spiritual aspirant towards liberation.
(iii) Intense desire to achieve liberation (moksha)
(iv) Not to engage in any unworthy, bad, illegal, immoral activities (in Karmic terminology this is Samvara)
(v) Respect towards parents, elders, teachers, Gurus
(vi) Pursue beneficial, benevolent, charitable activities for the welfare of all souls (humans, plants, animals)
(vii) To have the good fortune of a right preceptor (Sadguru) who shows the path of liberation
(viii) To have the right preceptor not only in this lifetime, but for all future lives until liberation
(ix) Oh Lord! to have the dedicated service of your revered feet in all my future lives
(x) Destruction of sufferings (this does not imply that God has the power to remove karmas bound, but it implies that one gets the strength and right perception of not viewing suffering as suffering. A person with a right attitude and equanimity considers suffering as an opportunity to get rid of karmas and come closer to their goal of attaining liberation)
(xi) Destruction of karmas. Suffering and karmic bondage are concomitant. Therefore destruction of karmas (Nirjara) will lead to destruction of sufferings.
(xii) Spiritual death (being in a state of equanimity and getting engrossed in the soul which is a permanent entity and disassociating with the body which is temporary)
(xiii) To attain the 3 jewels of Samyak Darsana (right faith), Samyak Gyana (right knowledge) and Samyak Cāritra (right conduct). Attaining enlightenment through right faith is fundamental to the path of liberation.
Jaya Viyarāya! Jaga-guru! Hou Mamam Tuha Ppabhāvao Bhayavam!
Bhava-Nivveo Maggāṇusaria Itthaphala-Siddhi …1
Loga Viruddha-ccāo Guru-Jaṇa-Pua Parattha-Karaṇam Ca
Suha-Guru-Jogo Tavvayaṇa Sevaṇā Ā-bhavamakhandā …2
Vārijjai Jai Vi Niyāṇa-Bandhaṇam Viyarāya! Tuha Samaye
Taha Vi Mama Hujja Sevā, Bhave Bhave Tumha Calaṇāṇam …3
Dukkha-kkhao Kamma-kkhao, Samāhi-Maraṇam Ca Bohi-Lābho A
Sampajjau Maha Eam, Tuha Nāha! Paṇāma-Kareṇeṇam …4
Sarva-Mangala Māngalyam, Sarva-Kalyāṇa-Kāraṇam
Pradhānam Sarva-Dharmāṇām, Jainam Jayati Śāsanam …5
Oh Vitrāga Lord ! Oh preceptor of the world! Oh Bhagwān! By your glory let me:
(i) get detachment towards worldly objects
(ii) move towards the path of salvation
(iii) and attain the desired achievement (of attaining liberation) …1
(iv) renounce activities against public interest
(v) respect elders and Guru
(vi) carry out benevolent and beneficial activities for the welfare of others
(vii) be in contact with right preceptors (Guru)
(viii) follow their (Guru’s) instructions throughout the cycles of birth and death without any interruptions ..2
Oh Vitrāga! though expectation of fruits from performing religious rites is forbidden in your teachings, even then let me have the dedicated service of your revered feet through the cycles of birth and death …3
Oh Lord! by doing obeisance to you, let me obtain
(i) Destruction of sufferings
(ii) Annihilation of karmas
(iii) Equanimous / spiritual death
(iv) Attainment of enlightenment through right faith …4
The Jain doctrine is:
(i) the most auspicious amongst all auspices
(ii) the supreme cause of all spiritual prosperity (attaining liberation)
(iii) the best amongst all spiritual doctrines …5
Click here to download the Jay Viyaraya Stotra word to word English translation
References:
1. Prabodh Tika by Param Pujya Panyas BhadrankarVijayji Maharaj & Param Pujya Munishree Kalyanprabhavijayji Maharaj
2. Pratikraman Sutra With Explanation Part I by Nirvana Sagara
3. Internet
4. Wisdomlib
5. JAYVIYRAYSUTRA BY DR.RAMJAN HASANIYA
Apologies and seek pardon for any unintentional errors in translation of the verses.
