Nav Smarana

SR No.: 008333
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi
Total Pages: 224
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Devotion, Worship, Worship, J000, & J999
File Size: 922 KB

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The king ordered his men to tie Hemshreshthi and lower him into a deep well. Hemshreshthi did not utter a single word of complaint. He started reciting the Bhaktämara Stotra. Due to the power of the stotra the goddess Chakreshvari came to him and released him from his bondage. The goddess then tied the King whilst he was seated on his throne and told him that the only person capable of releasing you is Hemshreshthi who is in the deep well.
The poor king had no alternative but to ask for Hemshreshthi's help. The king's servants went to the well and tried to release the merchant. The merchant, of course, was not tied and came out of the well. He went to the palace and started reciting the Bhaktämara Stotra. First two verses were recited. The merchant then sprinkled the holy water on the king. All the straps and bands were immediately broken. The king apologised to the goddess for his mistake and he was thus convinced of the power of the Bhaktämara Stotra.
Note: Making the water holy and then sprinkling it on someone's head has been mentioned in many verses, but the complete procedure or method is not explained.
Story NO 2 (Relating to verses 3 and 4)
In the town of Ujjaini, there lived a Vanik by the name of Sumati. Sumati was a poor man but he was very religious and honest. Once a Jain monk came to the town. Sumati went to hear his lecture. Sumati listened to him very carefully and after the discourse he went to greet the monk and very humbly said: "Sir, what you have said is very nice and very useful but a person like me, who is very poor and struggling to earn his living, can hardly find time to do any religious activities. My immediate worry is to feed my family. How can I do all the things you have mentioned." The monk was very kind-hearted and told Sumati: "Sumati, I will teach you two verses. These are verses No 3 and No 4 of the Bhaktämara Stotra. Please recite them everyday." Sumati religiously started reciting those two verses everyday.
Once Sumati was travelling in a boat with other people. There in mid sea the boat started capsizing in a heavy storm. Sumati recited the two verses of the Bhaktämara Stotra. On hearing the verses, the Goddess Chakreshvari appeared in person. The Goddess gave him some precious stones and asked him to go back to his own town. Sumati went back home. He sold the gems given by the Goddess and became quite rich. All this happened due to the miraculous power of the Bhaktämara Stotra.
Story No 3 (About verses Nos. eight and nine)
There lived a poor man called Keshav in the town of Vasantpur. He was involved in all sorts of sinful activities to earn his living. Once a Jain monk recited a poem to him:
"Religion is the only good thing. Religion gives happiness in this and other worlds. Religion protects a man like the parents who protect their son. Religion is the mine of virtues and giver of the kingdom. Religion shows love and fulfils ones wishes."
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