Navkar Mahamantra Kalp

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navkar Mahamantra Kalp" by Chandanmal Nagori:

Overall Purpose:

"Navkar Mahamantra Kalp" is a comprehensive guide dedicated to the profound significance and practical application of the Navkar Mahamantra, the most sacred mantra in Jainism. The book aims to educate readers on the mantra's divine power, its constituent elements, the intricacies of its recitation, and its potential to bring about spiritual and worldly benefits when practiced with proper devotion and understanding.

Key Sections and Concepts:

1. Introduction and Publisher's Notes:

   • The book is presented as the third edition, published by Chandanmal Nagori.
   • It acknowledges the loss of ancient Jain literature but highlights the importance of preserving what remains.
   • The publisher expresses gratitude to individuals and trusts who supported its publication, including the Kalyanadas Narayanadas Trust Fund, which specifically supports spiritual and religious endeavors.
   • The editor expresses his personal journey with the mantra and the inspiration behind this compilation.

2. Mantra Mahima Prakaran (Chapter on Mantra's Glory):

   • The Navkar Mantra's Uniqueness: It emphasizes that the Navkar Mahamantra is not an ordinary mantra. Even divine beings (Devas) chant it for their own spiritual progress, placing it at a higher spiritual level than mantras with specific presiding deities.
   • Scriptural Authority: The text quotes Jain scriptures (like Jinshasan, Chaturdash Purva) to highlight the mantra's essence and its ability to protect from worldly suffering.
   • Four Pillars of Belief: The mantra's acceptance is supported by four pillars: scriptural evidence, faith in gurus and scholars, tradition, and personal experience/confidence.
   • Devas as Servants: Unlike other mantras where a deity is the presiding power, in the Navkar Mahamantra, the deities act as servants to the practitioner.

3. Navpad Prakaran (Chapter on the Nine Posts/Entities):

   • The Nine Posts: The mantra is broken down into its nine essential posts (Navpad): Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu, and the three qualities related to them (Darshan, Gyan, Charitra).
   • Historical Examples: The text provides historical examples from Jain lore (like Shripalji Maharaj) demonstrating the power of worshipping the Navpads to overcome ailments (leprosy) and adversities.
   • Scriptural Support: It cites the Aavashyak Sutra and its commentary (Niryukti) to show the tradition of remembering the Navkar mantra and its auspiciousness.
   • Protection from Fears: The Mahanishith Sutra is quoted, stating that chanting the Navkar mantra dispels fears like thieves, lions, serpents, fire, and rulers.
   • Other Sutras: Mentions the mantra's presence and praise in other scriptures like the Chandrapannatti.

4. Ashuddhochhar Prakaran (Chapter on Incorrect Pronunciation):

   • The Problem of Incorrect Recitation: This section addresses why, despite the mantra's power and the presence of presiding deities, direct experiences might be lacking today. The primary reason cited is the practitioner's incorrect pronunciation and lack of proper understanding.
   • Eight Types of Faults in Pronunciation: It details eight specific faults to be avoided:
     1. Vyaviddha: Speaking without understanding the meaning.
     2. Vyanandita: Speaking out of sync with the group.
     3. Pinaas: Omitting or mispronouncing letters within words.
     4. Ati Akshar: Using more letters than necessary, distorting words.
     5. Padheen: Forgetting or rushing through parts of the mantra, making it incomprehensible.
     6. Vinayheen: Lack of reverence and proper demeanor while chanting.
     7. Udattadi: Incorrect pitch and tone (too loud, too soft, or monotonous).
     8. Yogheen: Incorrect combination of vowels, consonants, and prosody, distorting the meaning.
   • Importance of Correct Pronunciation: The text stresses that correct pronunciation, understanding the meaning, and proper method are crucial for unlocking the mantra's power.

5. Navank Prakaran (Chapter on the Number Nine):

   • The Significance of Nine: This section delves into the numerical significance of '9' (Navank) in Jainism and its connection to the mantra.
   • Akshaya (Indestructible): The number nine is presented as 'Akshaya' (imperishable, eternal).
   • Analogy of Letters and Numbers: It uses analogies from language (vowels being indestructible compared to consonants) and mathematics to illustrate the enduring nature of nine.
   • Mathematical Properties of Nine: Detailed examples are given to show how the sum of digits in multiples of nine, or the digital root, consistently results in nine, signifying its inherent completeness and stability.
   • Spiritual Application: This mathematical property is linked to the spiritual concept of the Navkar mantra and its nine-fold representation, suggesting that devotion to the Navkar mantra leads to an indestructible, eternal state.

6. Chapters on Mala (Rosary), Aavarta (Cycles/Counts), and Asana (Posture):

   • Mala: Discusses various types of rosaries (mala) and the proper method of using them, including finger placement (thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky), avoiding the Meru (summit bead), and the specific benefits of using each finger for different intentions (e.g., ring finger for spiritual goals, middle finger for worldly desires).
   • Aavarta: Explains various methods of counting mantra repetitions using the fingers of the hand (Shankhaavarta, Nandavarta, Oomkaraavarta, Navpad Aavarta, etc.). Each method has its own specific finger sequence and supposed benefits.
   • Asana: Details the importance of proper posture for meditation, recommending clean and comfortable seats. It describes various asanas (seated postures) like Paryankasana, Veerasana, Vajrasana, Padmasana, etc., and their benefits. It also specifies directional orientations and colors of clothing/matting for different intentions (e.g., white for peace, red for protection, yellow for prosperity).

7. Chapters on Dhyeya Swarup (Forms of Meditation):

   • Four Types of Meditation:
     • Pindastha Dhyeya: Meditation on a concrete form, visualized within the body (e.g., contemplating the universe, a lotus, or a deity). It describes specific visualizations like the Earth-element, Fire-element, Air-element, Water-element, and Space-element.
     • Padhastha Dhyeya: Meditation on specific syllables or mantras, often involving the letters of the Navkar mantra and their esoteric meanings.
     • Rupastha Dhyeya: Meditation on the form of the Tirthankaras or other enlightened beings, focusing on their divine attributes and presence.
     • Rupateet Dhyeya: Meditation on the formless, attributeless Absolute, the pure soul (Atman), or the ultimate reality. This is considered the highest form of meditation.
   • Dharma Dhyana Prakaran (Chapter on Righteous Meditation): Briefly describes the four types of righteous meditation: Ajna Vichaya (meditating on the divine command), Apaya Vichaya (meditating on the consequences of sin), Vipaka Vichaya (meditating on the fruits of karma), and Sansthana Vichaya (meditating on the structure of the universe).

8. Vidhi-Vidhan Prakaran (Chapter on Rituals and Procedures):

   • Importance of Method: This section emphasizes that mantra Siddhi (accomplishment) is achieved through proper rituals and procedures, not just by focusing on the outcome.
   • Astrology and Auspicious Times: It suggests choosing auspicious times, lunar days, yoga combinations, and planetary positions for commencing mantra practice.
   • Purity of Place and Materials: Stresses the need for a pure place, specific ingredients (like Ashtagandha), clean lamps, and appropriate direction based on the desired outcome.
   • Purification: Details mantras for self-purification (Atma Shuddhi), invoking deities (Indra Aavahan), and creating protective shields (Kavach Nirmal Mantra).
   • Specific Mantras for Various Purposes: The latter half of the book is a extensive list of mantras with specific applications, including:
     • Purification: Mantras for hands, body, heart, mouth, eyes, and head.
     • Protection: Mantras for oneself, family, against disturbances, from specific planets (Sun, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu), and for protection on journeys.
     • Worldly Desires: Mantras for wealth acquisition, success in business, victory in disputes, and subjugation (Vashikaran).
     • Spiritual Goals: Mantras for knowledge, peace, overcoming obstacles, and attaining salvation.
     • Specific Situations: Mantras for escaping prison, warding off snakes, overcoming fear of animals, and dealing with specific afflictions.
   • Siddhikriya (Ritual of Accomplishment): Explains the importance of performing a final ritual after completing a specific number of mantra repetitions to gain the desired result.
   • Guru-Gam: Repeatedly stresses the need to learn these complex procedures and mantras from a qualified guru.

Overall Message:

"Navkar Mahamantra Kalp" presents the Navkar Mahamantra as a powerful tool for spiritual liberation and worldly well-being. It underscores that the mantra's effectiveness is deeply tied to the practitioner's sincerity, proper understanding, correct pronunciation, adherence to prescribed rituals, and the guidance of a guru. The book serves as a comprehensive manual for devout Jains seeking to harness the immense spiritual energy of this sacred mantra.