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The Special Divine Plan of the Samavasaran
The Mahardhik gods, first of all, inform the Abhiyogya gods about village, town or area where the Samavasaran is to be
constructed. These gods, then clear, clean and level a 12 sq. Km area pneumatically. Fragrant water is aerially sprinkled
over that area and than in order to make the atmosphere pleasantly perfumed a variety of suitable flowers are showered. The
whole area is decorated with various gemstones including moonstone and sapphire. Now the Vyantar gods construct gem
studded and gold inlaid gates in all the four directions. These gates are embellished with motiffis like umbrella, human figure,
crocodile arch, Swastika etc.
After this the kings of gods with their special powers construct three concentric parapet walls with serrated design and
embellished with gems and gold. The king of the Bhavanpati gods with silver constructs the outermost wall. The middle wall
is made of gold by the king of the Jyotishka gods. The innermost wall is full of gemstones and is made by the king of Vaimanik
gods. The gods who construct the walls also do the decorations and embellishments. The main gate studded with every gem
is made by the Bhavanpati gods. Large urns with burning incenses with mixtures of fragrant powder like black Agar and
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Kundarak are installed all around by the Vyantar gods.
Now Ishan gods arrive and plant an Ashok tree 12 times the height of the Tirthankar exactly at the centre of the innermost
circle. Under this tree they make a gem studded platform. At the centre of this platform they make a throne with leg-rest of
crystal-quartz. Over this throne there are three canopies, one over the other. On both the flanks of the throne stand the
Balindra and Chamar gods with whisks in their hands. The Vyantar gods install the emblem of wheel of religion a little
distance away and in front of the throne. After this all the gods hail in loud voice and express their feeling of extreme joy.
As a rule, where all the gods arrive, the construction of the Samavasaran is done jointly by different gods as detailed above.
But where kings of gods with special powers arrive, it is they who construct the Samavasaran. However, if such gods do not
arrive it is the option of the Bhavanpati and other gods to construct the Samavasaran?
Entry and the Sitting Arrangement
After the construction of the Samavasaran is complete the Tirthankar enters it by the eastern gate during the first hour after
the dawn or when the second hour is approaching. He moves stepping on divine lotuses. While walking, seven divine lotuses
appear both at the front and black of him. He first circumambulates the Chaitya tree and then approaches the throne and sits
on it facing east.
Three replicas of the Tirthankar sitting on the throne are created by gods and installed facing remaining three directions.
Thus the Tirthankar is visible to every one sitting anywhere in the assembly.
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At the feet of the Tirthankar the senior most principle disciple sits after bowing to the Tirthankar. The senior Ganadhar sits
near the feet of the Tirthankar in southeast direction. All the other Ganadhars sit at his side or ahead of him.
Then the omniscient ascetics enter from the eastern gate, circumambulate the Tirthankar, utter-Namastirthaya (salutation to
the Tirth), and take their seats at the back of the Ganadhars. After this the remaining highly endowed ascetics (Manahparyav
Jnanis, Avadhi Jnanis, fourteen Purvadhars, other Purvadhars etc.) also enter from the eastern gate, go around the Tirthankars
thrice, pay homage to the Tirthankar and other seniors, and take seats behind the Kewal Jnanis.
Now enter the female ascetics and after formally paying homage to all the seniors go and stand behind the Vaimanik gods,
they do not sit. Goddesses from the Vaimanik dimension enter from the eastern gate and formally saluting to the Tirthankar
and all the ascetics go and stand behind the common ascetics. One after another come the goddesses from Bhavanpati,
Vyantar and Jyotishka dimensions, from the southern gate and paying homage to the Tirthankar and all the ascetics go and
stand in the south-western direction one behind the other in the said order.
After all these arrive gods from Bhavanpati, Jyotishka and Vyantar dimensions from the eastern gate and after due formalities
take their allotted seats, one group behind the other in the said order in the north-western direction. Then from the northern
gate enter the Vaimanik gods followed by men and women and after due formalities take they’re allotted seats. In front sit
Vaimanik gods; behind them are men and then women. The families sit near the gods with whom they are associated and
nowhere else.
In every direction and the corners sit these clusters of people in-groups of three classes (gods, men and women). As a rule
the juniors pay respects to the seniors at the time of their arrival in the assembly, irrespective of the order of arrival. At the four
gates-east, west, north and south stand Soma, Yama, Varun and Kuber, respectively as guards of the directions.
Sitting in this fashion there is no feeling of superiority or inferiority, envy, competition, differences or animosity. Due to the
miraculous influence of the Tirthankar, even the natural enemies from the animal kingdom loose anger or fear from each
other.
Amar Muni - Tirthankar Charitra - Surana # 61
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