What is Puchisuñiam
Puchisuñiam (also written Puchchisunam or Pucchisuṇam) is a revered Mahavir-stuti (Veer Stuti) in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. It begins with the words “Pucchisuṇam” and appears in the Śvetāmbara Āgama Sūtrakṛtāṅga, First Śrutaskandha, 6th Adhyayana. The hymn has 29 gāthās: the first two are respectful questions posed by Ārya Jambu-svāmi, and the remaining verses are Ārya Sudharma-svāmi’s exalted praise of Bhagwan Mahavira’s keval-jnan, keval-darshan, and flawless conduct using lofty similes (sun, moon, lion, ocean, etc.). It is often sung with devotion during the Diwali/Nirvana-kalyanak period and on special occasions as a swadhyaya.
- Nature: A traditional Jain stuti strictly praising Bhagwan Mahavira; not a philosophical debate or modern composition.
- Language: Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.
- Structure: 29 gāthās (2 questions by Jambu-svāmi; 26 praise-verses; 1 verse on the fruit of devotion).
- Usage: Recited with reverence, commonly in Śvetāmbara practice (especially around Diwali).
- Tradition note: Śvetāmbara preserve it within Sūtrakṛtāṅga. Digambara tradition honors Mahavira equally but does not include this hymn in their canon; their liturgical recitations differ.
For a simple overview, see this brief note from JainKnowledge: