यात्रा-सुरक्षा — Bhaktamar

The context of travel

Recitation before setting out is an old practice in Jain conduct, and there was a practical reason for it: travel was genuinely hazardous, and an auspicious recitation was prescribed both for the wandering of monastics and for the pilgrimages of householders.

The Bhaktamar names the ocean, peril in water and danger on the road directly, so its association with travel is a natural one.

How these were selected

Gathered here are the verses in which the road, the ocean, water or the hazards of a journey appear.

For a pilgrimage the tradition more commonly prescribes the complete stotra; this selection is for the particular occasion.

6 verses

• Verse 39कुन्ताग्रभिन्न - गजशोणित - वारिवाह-
• Verse 40अम्भोनिधौ क्षुभितभीषणनक्रचक्र-
• Verse 41उद्भूतभीषणजलोदर-भारभुग्नाः
• Verse 42आपाद-कण्ठमुरुशृंखल-वेष्टितांगाः,
• Verse 43मत्तद्विपेन्द्र-मृगराज-दवानलाहि-
• Verse 44स्तोत्रस्रजं तव जिनेन्द्र! गुणैर्निबद्धां,

How the reading is done

The prescribed practice is to recite before departure, as one leaves the house. It may also be recalled silently along the way.

The tradition also holds that care on a journey is itself a duty — recitation does not replace prudence.