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  • Meaning of 48 sheiks of bhaktamar
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    Meaning of 48 sheiks of bhaktamar

    8 months ago 143

    Bhaktamar has 48 ślokas (verses) in the Digambar tradition. You asked for the meaning of all 48 – I’ll give a very simple, short “gist” of each verse, not full Sanskrit, so it’s easy to remember.

    ---

    1. Verse 1

    Bowing at the feet of Bhagwan Ādināth, whose pure feet are worshipped even by devas; his glory is beyond description.

    1. Verse 2

    Only your qualities truly deserve praise; your presence alone destroys fear and suffering.

    1. Verse 3

    Great poets also cannot fully describe your virtues; your greatness is infinite.

    1. Verse 4

    Even though I am small and imperfect, with devotion I still try to praise you.

    1. Verse 5

    The Lord accepts even childish praise, if it is filled with true bhakti.

    1. Verse 6

    A true devotee of the Lord remains inwardly happy and untouched by insults or difficulties.

    1. Verse 7

    The Lord’s remembrance removes all fears, just like the rising sun removes darkness.

    1. Verse 8

    Your name alone can break the bonds of karma and free beings from misery.

    1. Verse 9

    The gods themselves attain greatness only because they bow to you.

    1. Verse 10

    You are beyond birth and death; a pure, liberated soul, free from all karma.

    1. Verse 11

    The radiance of your knowledge makes even the sun and moon seem dim.

    1. Verse 12

    You are completely detached, without desire, yet full of boundless compassion.

    1. Verse 13

    Your mere sight destroys inner enemies like anger, pride, deceit and greed.

    1. Verse 14

    Even a little devotion to you becomes a cause for great spiritual uplift.

    1. Verse 15

    The one who takes shelter at your feet crosses the dangerous ocean of saṃsār.

    1. Verse 16

    Your sermon removes ignorance, shows the path of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.

    1. Verse 17

    Those who listen to your dharma become fearless and peaceful within.

    1. Verse 18

    No worldly king can give the security that your refuge gives.

    1. Verse 19

    Even terrible planets, stars, omens and calamities become weak before your remembrance.

    1. Verse 20

    Your devotees are protected from poison, weapons, wild animals and enemies by your grace (their own punya).

    1. Verse 21

    Chains, prisons and bindings cannot hold one whose heart is tied to your lotus-feet.

    1. Verse 22

    Fire, water, storms and other natural dangers cannot harm the one who remembers you with faith.

    1. Verse 23

    Diseased and suffering beings get relief by devotion to you and your teachings.

    1. Verse 24

    Even the most sinful person can start a new, pure life by turning towards you.

    1. Verse 25

    Your lotus-feet are the final refuge for those tired of wandering in countless births.

    1. Verse 26

    Remembering you gives both outer peace and deep inner bliss.

    1. Verse 27

    Your teachings make even a weak person strong on the path of dharma.

    1. Verse 28

    Your devotees rise higher and higher, leaving behind low habits and wrong beliefs.

    1. Verse 29

    Your keval-jñān (infinite knowledge) clearly sees all substances in all modes.

    1. Verse 30

    You are the ocean of forgiveness; you do not hate even those who insult you.

    1. Verse 31

    One who bows with true humility at your feet becomes humble, calm and egoless.

    1. Verse 32

    The path you showed – ahimsā, truth, non-stealing, brahmacharya, aparigraha – purifies the soul.

    1. Verse 33

    The three jewels (samyak-darshan, samyak-jñān, samyak-chāritra) taught by you are the real wealth.

    1. Verse 34

    Your samavasaraṇ is a place where all beings – humans, animals, devas – come together in peace to listen.

    1. Verse 35

    Even heavenly pleasures are insignificant compared to the bliss of the liberated state you revealed.

    1. Verse 36

    Your life-story (charitra) shows perfect non-attachment while living amidst the world.

    1. Verse 37

    Your body shines like pure gold, but your inner purity is far greater than any outer beauty.

    1. Verse 38

    Your speech is like nectar – clear, gentle, free from attachment, giving right direction to all.

    1. Verse 39

    You are the supreme doctor who shows the remedy for the deep disease of karmas.

    1. Verse 40

    You are infinite knowledge and infinite bliss, completely beyond sorrow.

    1. Verse 41

    Worship of you destroys heaps of karmas collected over endless births.

    1. Verse 42

    Miraculous changes happen in a devotee’s life by the power of true shraddhā in you.

    1. Verse 43

    You cure the deepest suffering – the cycle of birth and death – by teaching the path of moksha.

    1. Verse 44

    Your grace (through your teachings) is open to all – high or low, rich or poor.

    1. Verse 45

    The devotee thanks you: whatever little purity has come in my life is only due to your path.

    1. Verse 46

    Constant remembrance of you gives peace, fearlessness and stability in dharma.

    1. Verse 47

    Your teachings transform the devotee’s whole life – from worldly-minded to spiritually awake.

    1. Verse 48

    With folded hands, the devotee prays: “May I, by your path, slowly destroy all karmas and attain moksha.”

    ---

    Digambar vs. Śvetāmbara note:

    • Digambar tradition: 48 verses (all above).
    • Many Śvetāmbara traditions: 44 verses; 4 are considered later additions or optional.
    The main bhāva (feeling): deep devotion to Bhagwan Ādināth, faith in the power of dharma, and aspiration for moksha, is the same in both.

    You can read a simple overview of Bhaktamar and its importance here and also a gāthā‑wise outline here .

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