Bhaktamar 1st śloka (with yantra guidance)

Original śloka (Devanāgarī): भक्तामर-प्रणत-मौलि-मणि-प्रभाणा- मुद्योतकं दलित-पाप-तमो-वितानम्। सम्यक् प्रणम्य जिन-पाद-युगं युगादा- वालम्बनं भव-जले पततां जनानाम्॥१॥

Arth (simple meaning): I bow to the two holy feet of the Jina (Lord Ādināth). The radiance reflected from the gem-studded crowns of devotees who prostrate at those feet spreads light everywhere and destroys the darkness of sins. Those feet are the true support for beings who are drowning in the ocean of worldly existence.

About the “1st śloka yantra” (traditional Jain practice):

• Purpose: This yantra is used to begin Bhaktāmar sādhanā with śraddhā, seeking overall protection, removal of obstacles, and inner clarity through remembrance of Ādināth Bhagwān.
• Tradition note:

- Digambar paramparā more commonly preserves yantra-sādhanā procedures with the Bhaktāmar verses. - Śvetāmbara paramparā primarily emphasizes daily pāṭh and bhakti; yantra use varies by local maryādā. - In all cases, intention must be śuddha (pure), aligned with samyak-darshan, not for worldly harm.

Simple, maryādā-friendly method

• Pātra: Clean wooden/ashtachandra pañchāṅga chowki or altar; image or yantra before Ādināth Bhagwān.
• Nirmāṇ: Draw the 1st-śloka yantra neatly on white cloth, paper, or silver/copper plate using kesar/ashtagandha. If you don’t have a specific design from your guru-paramparā, keep it simple: bindu at center (śrīpāda-smaraṇ), enclosed by a lotus and a square bhūpura; write the first śloka neatly around the lotus. (Do not improvise tantric symbols beyond your sampradāy’s guidance.)
• Pūrvakarma: Ācamana, saṅkalpa of ahiṁsā, brahmacharya (as per your capacity), and quiet mind.
• Nyāsa/Āhvān: Offer puṣpa, akṣata (non-sprouted), and deepa before the yantra, remembering Ādināth.
• Japa/pāṭh:

- Recite Bhaktāmar 1st śloka with full concentration; common counts are 11, 21, 48, or 108. - Keep dr̥ṣṭi on the yantra’s center (bindu) and mentally on Bhagwān’s pāda.

• Samāpti: Do prārthanā for kṣamā (forgiveness), offer āratī, and respectfully keep/cover the yantra in a śuddha place.

Important safeguards

• Follow only your guru/śāstra-based paddhati. If your sect gives a specific yantra design, beej-ākṣara, or niyama, use that and only that.
• Yantra is an aid to bhakti and self-purification; it is not a substitute for right conduct (samyak-chāritra) and svādhyāya.
• Avoid claims or uses aimed at manipulation or harm; such intent is against Jain dharma.

For a gentle introduction to Bhaktāmar and yantra-oriented practice, you can read these short notes:

• Bhaktāmar overview
• Bhaktāmar yantra basics (community note)