Rons Bantwal

Moodbidri, Dec 3: The 48-shloka hymn composed by Acharya Maan Tunga in praise of Adinatha Swami has become a globally popular stotra, translated into around 130 languages. While worldly life is never free from suffering, religious practices such as worship, puja, and the fourfold charitable acts (Chaturvidha Dana) can help alleviate the suffering of ordinary people. Devotion through puja and worship brings peace of mind, and, according to Indian medical scriptures, diseases can also be cured using sound and bija-mantra techniques. The significance of these practices was highlighted by Swastisri Dr Bhattaraka Charukirti Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji, the head of the Digambara Jain Math at Jain Kashi Moodbidri Mahaksetra.

Over two days, Monday and Tuesday, Swastisri Charukirti Bhattaraka undertook a religious pilgrimage covering Bihar and Jharkhand, including Rajgiri, Kundalpur, Pawapuri, Baddhalpur, and the Nalanda University campus. At the international Tripi?aka mantra chanting session held in Bodh Gaya, he spoke about devotion and the worship of the Bhaktamar Stotra, addressing scholars and Buddhist monks from Bangkok who were present.

The pilgrimage also included visits to Pawapuri, where Lord Mahavira attained liberation, and Vipulachala Parvata in Rajgiri, where he delivered his first sermon. In the evening, the Jain community at Kodarma hosted a devotional programme in which President Suresh Zhanjri Swamiji honoured the visiting Bhattaraka.

During the programme, adinatha Swami bhajan and aarti ceremonies were performed. Devotees and attendees included Pradeep Pandit, Vijay Jain, Dileep Jain, Prem Vijay, and Poonam Jain, who participated alongside Swamiji. On the second day, Swamiji visited the Chaurangi Basadi in Kolkata in the morning before returning to the Moodbidri Jain Ksetra in the evening.