Atmaraksha stotra
The Atmaraksha Stotra is a revered Jain prayer chanted for self-protection, spiritual upliftment, and guidance. It is especially popular among Shwetambar Jains and is attributed to Acharya Bhadrabahu. The stotra invokes the blessings of the Arihantas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus, as well as the Tirthankaras, to protect the soul from worldly obstacles and spiritual dangers.
Here is the Atmaraksha Stotra in Sanskrit with transliteration and meaning:
Sanskrit:
``` Arihantāṁ namaskāreṇaṁ, Siddhāṇaṁ cha namokkāraṁ | Ariyāriyaṁ cha vandāmi, Sahuṇāṁ pi namo karuṁ || 1 ||
Chattāri mangalāṁ, Arihantā mangalaṁ, Siddhā mangalaṁ | Sāhū mangalaṁ, Kevali-pannatto Dhammo mangalaṁ || 2 ||
Chattāri loguttamā, Arihantā loguttamā, Siddhā loguttamā | Sāhū loguttamā, Kevali-pannatto Dhammo loguttamā || 3 ||
Chattāri saranam pavajjāmi, Arihantā saranam pavajjāmi | Siddhā saranam pavajjāmi, Sāhū saranam pavajjāmi | Kevali-pannattaṁ Dhammaṁ saranam pavajjāmi || 4 ||
Samaṇaṁ vajjiyā putto, Sāhūṇaṁ gihiṇaṁ vā | Tassa pāṇaṁ na hanejjā, Savve jīvā viyappiyā || 5 || ```
Transliteration:
- Arihantāṁ namaskāreṇaṁ, Siddhāṇaṁ cha namokkāraṁ
Ariyāriyaṁ cha vandāmi, Sahuṇāṁ pi namo karuṁ.
- Chattāri mangalāṁ, Arihantā mangalaṁ, Siddhā mangalaṁ
Sāhū mangalaṁ, Kevali-pannatto Dhammo mangalaṁ.
- Chattāri loguttamā, Arihantā loguttamā, Siddhā loguttamā
Sāhū loguttamā, Kevali-pannatto Dhammo loguttamā.
- Chattāri saranam pavajjāmi, Arihantā saranam pavajjāmi
Siddhā saranam pavajjāmi, Sāhū saranam pavajjāmi Kevali-pannattaṁ Dhammaṁ saranam pavajjāmi.
- Samaṇaṁ vajjiyā putto, Sāhūṇaṁ gihiṇaṁ vā
Tassa pāṇaṁ na hanejjā, Savve jīvā viyappiyā.
Meaning (English summary):
- I bow with reverence to the Arihantas (perfected souls), I pay homage to the Siddhas (liberated souls), I worship the Acharyas (spiritual leaders), and I also salute the Sadhus (monks).
- These four are auspicious: Arihantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Dharma preached by the omniscient.
- These four are the most exalted in the universe: Arihantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Dharma revealed by the Kevalis.
- I take refuge in these four: Arihantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Dharma preached by the omniscient.
- Whether a monk, a householder, or anyone else, one should not harm living beings; all souls are dear to themselves.
Purpose: Chanting the Atmaraksha Stotra is believed to protect the devotee from negative influences and foster spiritual progress by strengthening faith in the Panch Parmesthi (five supreme beings in Jainism).
If you would like a more detailed explanation or the stotra in another language, please let me know!