The importance of Jayamangalagathas

By Premasara Epasinghe

With the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, during the King Devanampiyatissa era, an amazing cultural, social, political and economic revolution took place in society. Buddhist philosophy, became a way of life. The Buddhists believed that every auspicious event in their life should invariably get the blessings of the Triple Gem-Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Even in a foundation laying ceremony for a house, or a house warming or any other Buddhist event, they chant Seth Pirith. These good qualities were woven into our Buddhist fabric of life.

A Buddhist wedding ceremony is incomplete without the recitation of Jayamangalagathas. When the newly-wedded couple ascends the poruwa, the master of ceremonies, who recites, Buddhist stanzas and poems, assigns a few minutes to a few girls who are neatly clad in white to chant, sing or recite Jayamangalagathas.

Wedding

The guests stand up as a mark of respect when the stanzas are sung. We have heard the Jayamangalagathas many times. But, do you know their meaning and why they are chanted. Primarily, the stanzas are chanted to bless the newly-wedded couple. The following nine stanzas are sung on important occasion.

Bahum Sagassam-abhinimmita Sayudham Tam, -
Girimekhalam Udithagora Sasenamaram, -
Danadidhammavidina Jitva Munindo, -
Tam Tejasa Bhavatu Te Jayamangalani -

The elephant named Girimekhala with Mara, with their thousand arms and weapons risen with fierceness.

Through righteous means, such as generosity, the Great Master of all sages, won that power. May there be victorious auspices to you.

The stanzas of the victorious auspices conclude:
Etapi Buddhajayamangala Attagatha, -Ya Vacako Dinadine Sarate Matandi -
Hitvana Neka vividhani c'uppaddavani, -
Mokkham Sukham Adigameyya Naro Sapanno -

What does the above stanza mean?

The wise man would attain the happiness of release, by reciting the eight Buddha stanzas of the victorious auspices daily without laziness. Through this blessings troubles and dangers will be eliminated.

It will help you to prosper in life. By the power of the Buddha (Sabba Buddhanubhavena), Dhamma (Sabba Dhammanubhavena), and sangha (Sabba Sanghanubhavena), there will be blessings to you all-around.

The Jayamangalagathas depict, the supreme compassionate power of the Buddha and the incident of how he through His psychic powers tamed and won over elephant Girimekhala and fully drunk elephant Nalagiri.

The Buddha tamed stubborn Alavaka, then the fierce Angulimala who was holding the sword with lifted hand to kill the Buddha.

The Jayamangalagathas explain how Buddha with clamness, showed his power and tamed Chincamanavika, who insulted and tried to tarnish the image of the Buddha. The Buddha also tamed Saccaka, the debator and the naga King Nandopananda. Then the Buddha also tamed the Brahma Baka. These are the highlights in the of Jayamangalagathas.

Sometimes, added to Jayamangalagathas, a request for protection from evil is recited to bless all, through the Triple Gem.

Yandunnimittam Avamangalanca -
(whatever bad portent and what is inauspicious -

Yo camancpo sakkunass saddo
(whatever unpleasant noise of a bird)

Papaggaho Dussupinam Akantam,
(whatever evil planet and bad dream unpleasant)

Buddhanubhavena
Dhammanubhavena
Sanghanubhavena

Let them all disappear, come to naught through the power of the Buddha – (The Blessed one) Dhamma (Doctrine) and sangha Disciples of the Buddha – bhikkhus).

Further, sometimes at the conclusion of ceremonies Ashtaka is recited to conclude the proceedings requesting the wedding couple to ascent the poruwa.

Bhavatu Sabbamangalam
May there be all the auspices
Rakkantu Sabbadevata
May all dieties protect you
Sabba Buddhanubhavena
Dhammanubhavena
Sanghanubhavena

By the power of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha may there be blessing to you.