1. What is 'Samavsaran' ?
'Samavsaran' is the assembly of resonant preaching of 'Teerthankaras'.
2. Enumerate distinguishing features (pecularities) of 'Samavsaran' ?
1. 'Kuber', the lord of treasury of the heaven creates 'Samavsaran' from special diamonds and jewels by order of 'Saudharama' 'Indra' after manifestation of Kevaljñān' (Omni science) to 'Teerthankara'.
2. This 'Samavsaran' is a round-shaped rock made of 'Indra-Neelmani' (a kind of jewel) five thousand 'Dhanusha' above the ground in the space between the earth and sky and is expanded to 12 'yojan'. The 'Samavsaran' is created on this rock.
'Dhanusha' is equal to 4 hand i.e. 6 feet therefore, this 'Samavsaran' is 30,000 feet above the ground). (reference - Tiloypannati 4/ 724-725)
3. There are 20 thousand stairs in each direction.People/all living beings climb through these stairs without any labour just as nowadays through lift, and through escalator on which people stand and the stairs move on their own.
4. There is a passage adjacent to stairs that goes up to the first seat of Gandh Kuti' (seat of 'Teerthankara' in 'Samavsaran') situated in the centre of 'Samavsaran'.
5. There are eight grounds (lands) in 'Samavsaran' (i) Chaitya-Prasad land, (ii) Jalakhatika, (iii) Latavan Bhumi, (iv) Upvana Bhumi, (v) Dhwaja Bhumi, (vi) Kalpavraksha Bhumi, (vii) Bhavan Bhumi, (viii) Shri Mandap Bhumi, ahead of it there is a terrace made of crystal gems. Ahead of this terrace there are three sequential round pedestals (seats) one above the other reducing sequentially in diametre and above these first, second and third pedestal, the 'Gandhkuti' is situated. Teerthankara are seated on the lotus fixed/created on the throne placed in the 'Gandhkuti' but four 'Angul' (fingers length) above in the space with eight 'Pratiharyas' (auspicious emblems of Teerthankaras).
6. In the outer part of 'Samavsaran' there are two theatres/dancing places each on both sides of the passage i.e. in total there are 16 theaters (in eight Bhumi) in which 32 female deities used to dance in each of them.
7. Entering the doors, some ahead there are four 'Manstanbhas' (pride-benumbing monument pillars crowned with idols of Lord Omniscient (Arihant Parmeshthi) in each of four directions seeing which pride of proud person melts away.
8. There are twelve large rooms divided by sixteen walls adorned with crystal gems in the 'Shri Mandap Bhumi' in which there are twelve assembly halls. From the right side of 'Teerthankara' following sit in sequence : (i) Gandharas & all saints (Muni), (ii) kalpvasi female deities, (iii) Aryikayen and female shravikayen, (iv) female stellar deities, (v) female 'Vyantara' deities, (vi) female Bhavanvasi deties (vii) Residential celestial beeings i.e. Bhavanvasi deva, (viii) Vyantara deva, (ix) Stellar deva, (x) Kalpvasi deva, (xi) Chakravarti and human beings, (xii) Animals and Birds. (T.P.4/866-872)
9. Because of majesty of Teerthankara' there is no terror, disease, death, hunger, thirst, cold and heat, and natural enemies-snake and mangoose, deer and lion sit together and hear the preachings of 'Teerthankara'. In this connection Achharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji has written a Doha' (a rhyming couplet).
पानी भरते देव हैं, वैभव होता दास ।
मृग मृगेन्द्र मिल बैठते, देख दया का वास॥
सर्वोदय शतक २९
Grandeur becomes slave, deities fetch the water,
Seeing abode of mercy, lion-stag sit together.
"Seeing abode of compassion ('Samavsaran') the deities remain ready in the service of the Teerthankara, grandeur becomes slave and the deer and lion sit together."
10. It takes only Antarmuhurta time (within 48 minutes) in entering and coming out from the 'Samavsaran' which is expanded in many 'Yojanas'.
11. Only five-sensed beings with mind (Samjñi) come in the 'Samavsaran'.
12. Living beings of all the three universes come in the 'Samavsaran' because 'Bhawanvasi' and 'Vyantara' deities from lower world also come there.
3.How many fasts are there of 'Samavsaran vow' and when they begin ?
Observe fast on each 'Chaturdashi' (14th day of each lunar month) till one year. Thus observe 24 fasts. This vow can be started from any 'Chaturdasi' and repeat the following incantation at every bead of rosary three times on the fast day.
"ओं ह्रीं जगदापद्विनाशाय सकल गुण करण्डाय श्री सर्वज्ञाय अर्हत्परमेष्ठिने नमः''
"Om Hirim Jagdapadvinashaya Sakal Gun Karandaya Shri Sarvagyaya Arhatparmestine Namah:".
