Bruhat Shanti – simple explanation

1. Meaning of the words

- “Bruhat / Brihat” = बड़ा, विशाल (great, vast) - “Shanti” = शांति, मंगल, कल्याण (peace, auspiciousness, well‑being)

So “Bruhat Shanti” = “महान शांति” / “विशाल मंगल प्रार्थना”.

1. What is Bruhat Shanti in Jain tradition?

- It is a big Shanti‑stotra / Shanti‑path used mainly in the Śvetāmbara tradition. - It has many Sanskrit ślokas (often 108), so it is called “Bruhat” (big) Shanti. - It is recited especially during: - Snātra pūjan - Pratiṣṭhā mahotsav - Completion of big anushṭhāns / ceremonies - Shanti‑kalash, special occasions for universal peace and protection.

1. Main bhāva (inner meaning) of Bruhat Shanti

In simple words, when we recite Bruhat Shanti, we pray:

- To all Tirthankars and especially Śāntināth Bhagwān: - “May there be peace, health and safety for everyone.” - “May disease, fear, dukkha, दुःख, दुःस्वप्न (bad dreams), अशुभ संकेत all go away.” - “May there be prosperity with dharma – good thoughts, right faith, right conduct.” - “May our Sangh (sādhus, sādhvīs, śrāvaks, śrāvikās) stay united, safe, and progressing in dharma.” - “May there be peace in towns, villages, kingdoms, rulers, and all beings.” - In the end, the spirit is: “सभी जीवों का कल्याण हो, सबको शांति मिले, सबका पाप क्षीण हो, और सभी मोक्ष मार्ग पर अग्रसर हों।”

1. Opening idea of the stotra (very simply)

The beginning verses describe that:

- Whenever a Tirthankar takes birth, Dev‑Indra (Saudharmendra) and many devas come, - They perform the janmābhiṣek (birth abhiṣek) of the Tirthankar, - At that time Bruhat Shanti is proclaimed, - We say: just like the devas announced peace at that time, “In the same way, we also now pray and announce peace for all.”

1. Sect note (Digambar / Śvetāmbara)

- The famous Bruhat Shanti stotra / path with many Sanskrit ślokas is mainly Śvetāmbara usage. - Digambar traditions also have Shanti‑vidhān, Shanti‑path, but the exact text and procedure are different. - The central bhāva is same: universal peace, removal of obstacles, and spiritual upliftment of all beings through the grace of the Arihants and Siddhas.

You can read a brief meaning‑oriented note on “Bruhad Shanti” here