There are two types of Tirths The first is “Jangam Tirth” or “Bhav Tirth.” This is where Tirthankara Bhagwan establishes the fourfold order of Sadhus, Sadhvijis, Shravaks and Shravikas. It helps “Sansari Jivs’ (ordinary humans) to attain Moksha. The second type of tirth is “sthavar tirths” commonly referred to as “Drvya-Tirths.” This refers to the holy places (bhoomi) where Kalyanaks of Tirthankars occurs. As a result, this place helps many achieve liberation because of its sacrosanct location, one that is imbibed with deeply spiritual and thus positive vibrations. Such Tirths as we know them are “Shatrunjay”, Sammet Shikhar, Girnarji, Abuji, Sankheswarji, and so on. Sammet Shikharji, Girnarji, Pavapuri are also Nirvan Bhoomi of current Tirthankars. Ashtapad is a Tirth which is not physically identifiable at present, but which holds equal significance as other MahaTirths for Jains. Why is there so much significance attached to Ashtapad where we can do only” Bhav Yatra, or Bhav pilgrimage”? Ashtapad is the Nirvan Bhoomi of first Tirthankar Shri Rushabhdev Bhagwan who was responsible for reestablishing the Jain Dharma in this descending era of the current time cycle in our living space (Bharat Kshetra). It is said he delivered several sermons on this particular mountain A beautiful parable about Rushabhdev, Bharat Chakravarti and Marichi explains and establishes the basic tenets of Jainism. In this story, Bharat Maharaja poses a powerful question to Rushabhdev, the omniscient Tirthankar: are there any members in present in the currently assembly (“Parshada”) who will become a future Tithankar? Adinath Bhagwan sagely informs him, “Your son Marichi will be the 24th tirthankar in this era of the current time cycle.” Upon hearing this, Bharat Maharaja instantly circles around Marichi (performing pradakshina) and bows down dutifully to him He makes clear, however, “I am respectfully doing Vandan to the “SOUL” of future Tirthankar and not to the current physical self of Marichi.” Bharat Maharaja then proceeded to construct a Palace of Jewels establishing (sthapana) of the current twenty four Tirthankars. It is total faith and appreciation in what Sarvagna Bhagwan says, about who are the subsequent 23 tirthankars going to be who will carry forward Dhrama for the benefit several living beings after Rushabhadev Bhagwan’s Nirvana. This event reaffirms several fundamental principles underlying Jainsm: · An omniscient who has totally removed all his passions and attachments will attain “Kevalgyan,” which allows him know the past, present and future phases of all things, living or otherwise. · The soul is permanent and forever, transmigrating in different phases of living beings until it liberates itself from all Karmas of the physical body. In their purest form, all souls are equal and therefore deserve respectful recognition all the time irrespective of current state of the physical body in which it dwells and its accompanying karma. A potent lesson can also be found by looking at Gautam Swami and his special relationship to Mahavir Swami and how his exemplary Bhakti leads him to an Ashtapad Yatra. In this story, Gautam Swami overhears a group of devotees discussing Mahavirswami’s deshana (sermon), which they had just attended. In the deshana, Mahavir swami said any soul who performs the Ashtapad Yatra and performs overnight Bhakti of the twenty-four tirthankars will attain “Moksha” in the same lifetime. Gautam swami himself was capable of knowing whether he would attain Moksha in this life time, but would defer understanding of all such events as per Mahavir Swamis guidance. Such was his total dedication and humility to the Lord. Toward this end, he obtains permission from Mahavirswami to undertake the Yatra of Ashtapad Tirth. Gautamswami’s purity of the soul was at such high level that he could fly (Akashgami Labdhi) and he could overcome big obstacles by grabbing sun rays and powering himself up. The Ashtapad tirth yatra entailed climbing over eight insurmountable steps or the hills. Ordinary human beings were incapable of achieving such a feat. Some “Tapas,” or individuals yearning to perform yatra, had gotten over the first step, fewer over the second, and even fewer had reached the third step. But that was it. Suddenly a tall, handsome flying ascetic arrives, and begins effortlessly climbing Ashtapad. With the power of the sun rays coursing through his veins, Gautam Swami swiftly and effortlessly climbs over the eight steps. Witnessing this extraordinary feat, these Tapas decided to become Gautamswami’s disciplines so they too could perform yatra and achieve Moksha. The next morning they beg him for the privilege. But Gautamswami advises them to become disciples of his Guru Mahavirswami. They all agree and Gautamswami suggested that they do Parna of their Tapsya before doing so. The rest of the story is well known: Gautamswami helps them perform Parna with a single bowl of endless Khir (sweet) which never runs out and produces enough to satiate all 1500 Tapas. All 1500 attain kevalgyan in 3 groups before even reaching to Mahavir Swami. Lord Mahavir himself explained the significance of Ashtapad yatra toward attaining Moksha. Specifically, he stresses how complete faith in the lord and total dedication and devotion in him can achieve the same results for those who surrender. So let us join in the Bhav-Yatra of the Adhtapad Tirth at our house of the Lord Mahavir, Jain Center of Southern California and hope that over the next few lifetimes, we can end our cycle of birth and death. Astapad Puja Nakro $101/each- 8 puja out of which 2 puja given to sponsors, Rest 6 puja with 5 families taking labh in each puja, four on each side of the Astapad and one by the Trigadu on the stage. |