can describe the meaning line by line of Tassa Uttari Stotra i
Answer
Yes. Tassa Uttari Stotra is a Jain repentance and purification prayer. It is recited to ask forgiveness for faults committed knowingly or unknowingly, and to purify the soul through humility, awareness, and devotion.
The opening words are:
“Tassa Uttari-karaṇeṇaṁ…”
It means: “For the further purification of that soul…”
Line-by-line Meaning
1. Tassa uttari-karaṇeṇaṁ
For the further purification and upliftment of the soul.
2. Pāyacchitta-karaṇeṇaṁ
By performing repentance and atonement for mistakes.
3. Visohi-karaṇeṇaṁ
By purifying the soul from impurities caused by wrong actions, thoughts, and speech.
4. Visallī-karaṇeṇaṁ
By removing the inner “thorns” of sin, guilt, attachment, anger, ego, deceit, and greed.
5. Pāvāṇaṁ kammāṇaṁ nigghāyaṇaṭṭhāe
For the destruction or weakening of sinful karmas.
6. Ṭhāmi kāussaggaṁ
I now stand in Kāyotsarga, abandoning attachment to the body and remaining focused on the soul.
Explanation
This stotra teaches that true purification happens through:
- Pratikraman — reflecting on one’s mistakes
- Prāyaścitta — sincere repentance
- Viśuddhi — inner purification
- Kāyotsarga — detachment from the body and focus on the soul
It is not only a prayer of words, but a spiritual practice of humility and self-correction.
Spiritual Understanding
In Jain Dharma, karma is attached to the soul through passions such as anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, and carelessness. Tassa Uttari Stotra reminds us that we should not hide our faults or justify them. Instead, we should accept them, repent sincerely, and make effort to purify the soul.
Takeaway
Tassa Uttari Stotra means: “Through repentance, purification, removal of inner faults, and destruction of sinful karmas, I enter Kāyotsarga for the upliftment of my soul.”