The Extra Ordinary Grandeur of the Gandodak (Remains of Anointment)
Chapter-17
Many diseases disappear by venerably applying “gandodak”, which is obtained by carrying out the “Panchamrit- Abhishek” (anointment with five types of holy liquids, i.e., water, milk,??? ) and “Shạntidhara” (continuous stream of water poured on idol of Jinendra-deva with a prayer for the peace and welfare all around) on the supreme reverent idol of “Veetraga” (dispassionate and detached) Jinendra Deva, on the forehead and upper parts of the body.
Eulogizing qualities of Jinendra Deva, Poet Dhananjaya says, “People desirous of curing poisonous disease wander in search of magical formula, charms, incantation, medicine, etc. but it is strange that they do not remember you.” Achharya Veersen has written in ‘Dhavla Text’, “Remembering Lord Jinendra Deva with full intentness and eulogizing His qualities and attributes prevents many impediments, fears and attack of vicious gods (evil spirits???).”
The foremost thing is a firm reverential faith and unfailing belief.
The fruit of the incantation depends upon faith and belief.
This incident is of the life of Subak SagarJi Maharaj (Elak Ji). His name in the “Grihast(ia” (domestic) life was Paigoda Satya Gonga Patil. A dreadful snake bit him in 1945. There was an excessive burning sensation and life seemed to be impossible.
Satya Gonga Patil made up his mind to undertake ‘Diksha’ (initiation of religious austerities) if he was saved from the effect of poison of this hideous snake and, if not cured; he would relinquish vital breath by adopting the vow of “Samadhi” (opting for a sacred willful death). “Kshullak Ji” (Junior Jain Saint) Samant Bhadra Ji and devotional singer Jingonda were present at that “Vishaphar Stotra”. Panchamrit-Abhishek of Lord Jinendra had just been performed at that time.
The ‘Rishimandav incantation was also being chanted. After completion of abhishek and shantidhara, the entire gandodak was poured upon him. As soon as the holy water of gandodak touched his body, the pain of poison disappeared and his body became poison free.
Then, Paigonda Satya Gonad Patil went near Muni Paay Sagar Ji at Dorgoan and undertook “Kshullak-Diksha ” from him and later “Elak-Diksha” from Shirgupti Maharaj on November 18, 1946.
The grandeur of unimaginable effect of the gandodak is in fact due to the unprecedented nature of the incantation of Lord Jinendra. Achharya Jinesh Swami has described Lord Jinendra as the creator of incantation, holder of incantation and the image of incantation.
A poison removing incident from the gandodak also happened at Hiberkhera village of Amravati district.
A gardener of the Shrine used to be in the service of Lord Jinendra. He had deep reverence for Lord Parashwa Nath. One day a dreadful snake bit him.
He requested Jain Shravaks to perform abhishek of Lord Parashwa Nath and to apply its holy gandodak on his body. The Jain Shravaks were engaged in routine worship and there the body of the gardener was becoming weak due to the effect of the poison. People started gathering. Followers of other religions said that by passing time in worship the poor Gardner would die.
The gardener suffered second attack of dizziness and by then Abhishek of the Lord Parashwa Nath was completed. At the third attack of dizziness the gandodak was applied on his body and as soon as the water touched his body, the pain of the poison disappeared immediately and the poison was removed.
The people present there, who witnessed this incident were very much impressed and their devotion to Jinendra Dev deepened. Grandeur of Lord Jinendra is remembered with great rouarantial belief has been deviated from Lord Jinendra to the goddess of wealth.
The power of incantation depends upon the attributes of faith. We are living in the refuge of the governance of Jinendra Dev, then why is our condition deteriorating? The main reason is the lack of firmness of our faith.
Poet Dhananjaya composed “Vishapahar Stotra” in such a state of disposition. His son is nearing death from the effect of snake poison. Dhananjaya, a right believer remains engaged resolutely in the worship of the Lord Jinendra. His firm reverential belief did not allow him to deviate.
After the worship, surrendering himself totally under the protection of Jinendra Dev, he said “You only are the incantation, the elixir and the medicine. You only are the lifesaver. What to say of snake-poison, you release one from the poison of infatuation and false faith and become conducive of his well-being. There is no other recourse for averting poison but you”.
That “Vishapahar-Stotra” composed out of true reverence, bestowed new life upon his son.
