what is the line by line and summary meaning of Annattha Sutra stotra in Chaitya vandan
Answer
The Annattha Sutra is recited in Chaitya Vandan while asking forgiveness for faults committed during worship, especially faults caused by carelessness of body, speech, and mind.
In Jain tradition, the commonly recited form is:
Annattha usasienam,
nīsasienam,
khāsienam,
chhīenam,
jambhāienam,
uḍḍuenam,
vāya-nisaggenam,
bhamalīe,
pitta-mucchāe.
Line-by-Line Meaning
- Annattha usasienam
Except for breathing in. - Nīsasienam
Except for breathing out. - Khāsienam
Except for coughing. - Chhīenam
Except for sneezing. - Jambhāienam
Except for yawning. - Uḍḍuenam
Except for belching or hiccup-like bodily movement. - Vāya-nisaggenam
Except for release of bodily wind. - Bhamalīe
Except for dizziness or bodily imbalance. - Pitta-mucchāe
Except for fainting or disturbance caused by bile/illness.
Summary Meaning
In this sutra, the devotee says:
“Except for unavoidable bodily functions such as breathing, coughing, sneezing, yawning, belching, release of wind, dizziness, or fainting, may my meditation, worship, and spiritual activity remain undisturbed and pure.”
It is a humble expression that during Chaitya Vandan, the devotee wants to remain steady, attentive, and spiritually focused, while acknowledging that some natural bodily actions may happen unintentionally.
Spiritual Understanding
The Annattha Sutra teaches:
- Awareness: One should perform worship with full attention.
- Humility: We accept that the body has natural limitations.
- Purity of intention: Even if unavoidable bodily actions occur, the inner devotion should remain sincere.
- Carefulness: Jain Dharma gives great importance to avoiding carelessness in religious practice.
Takeaway
The Annattha Sutra reminds us that Chaitya Vandan should be done with a calm body, pure speech, and focused mind, while humbly allowing for unavoidable natural bodily functions.