verse 22 of Bhaktamar stotra
Here is the 22nd verse (shloka) of Bhaktamar Stotra with simple meaning:
Sanskrit (Devanagari): स्त्रीणां शतानि शतशो जनयन्ति पुत्रान् नान्या सुतं त्वदुपमं जननी प्रसूता । सर्वा दिशो दधति भानि सहस्ररश्मिं प्राच्येव दिग् जनयति स्फुरदंशुजालम् ॥२२॥
Transliteration: strīṇām śatāni śataśo janayanti putrān nānyā sutaṁ tvad‑upamaṁ jananī prasūtā | sarvā diśo dadhati bhāni sahasra‑raśmim prācyeva dig janayati sphurad‑aṁśu‑jālam || 22 ||
Simple meaning (arth): Hundreds and hundreds of women give birth to sons, but no mother has ever given birth to a son like you.
All directions hold countless shining stars, but only the eastern direction gives birth to the sun, with its brilliant, radiant rays.
Essence: Acharya Mantunga is saying to Bhagwan Rishabhdev:
- Many mothers have many sons, but you are a completely unique and incomparable son.
- Just as only the East brings forth the rising sun, though stars are in all directions, in the same way only your mother gave birth to such an extraordinary Tirthankar.
This verse is accepted in both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions without any major variation in wording or meaning.