Navkar Mantra Aradhana Prabhav Pustika 2

This document is the Gujarati-language book "Navkar Mantra Aradhana Prabhav Pustika 2" (The Influence and Practice of the Navkar Mantra, Booklet 2), compiled by Muni Kushalchandravijayji and published by Nemi Vigyan Kastursuri Shreni, Mumbai.

Here's a comprehensive summary of its content:

Core Theme: The booklet extols the immense power and significance of the Navkar Mantra, the most sacred chant in Jainism, emphasizing its role in spiritual upliftment, removal of suffering, and attainment of liberation.

Key Messages and Content:

• Introduction and Blessings: The initial pages include blessings from respected Acharyas and acknowledge the contributors and publishers. The book is presented as a gift for spiritual knowledge.
• The Navkar Mantra's Efficacy:
  • It is described as the remover of worldly sins, pains, and sufferings ("papa-tap-santap").
  • It eliminates physical and mental ailments ("adhi-vyadhi-upadhi").
  • It bestows peace, equanimity, and spiritual absorption ("shanti, samta, samadhi").
  • A poignant saying asserts that those who hold the Navkar Mantra in their hearts cannot be harmed by the world.
  • Reciting it 900,000 times is said to prevent rebirth in hell and lead to crossing the ocean of existence.
  • It is stated that the essence of the Jain faith, the Navkar Mantra, is derived from the fourteen Purvas (ancient Jain scriptures).
• Inspiration and Compilation: The booklet acknowledges the inspirational guidance of Acharya Maharaj Shri Vijaychandodayasurishwarji Maharaj and Acharya Maharaj Shri Vijay Ashokchandasurishwarji Maharaj, with Muni Kushalchandravijayji as the compiler.
• List of Publications: A list of other publications by the Nemi Vigyan-Kastursuri Shreni is provided, indicating a focus on various aspects of Jain dharma and practice.
• The Importance of Salutation and Devotion:
  • The text discusses the significance of bowing and paying respects to divine beings and spiritual guides across different religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism).
  • For Jains, bowing to the Panch Parmeshthi (Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu) with devotion is believed to destroy all sins.
  • The Uttaradhyayan Sutra is quoted, stating that bowing leads to noble lineage, good fortune, popularity, and the thinning of karmic bonds.
  • The benefits of bowing are elaborated: weakening karmic attachments, reducing their duration, mitigating their intensity, and reducing their scope, thus preventing an endless cycle of reincarnation.
  • The practice of "Legas" (a respectful bowing ritual) to the 24 Tirthankaras and Arihants is said to purify one's conduct.
• The Nature of Devotion (Nishkash): The text explains that devotion can be understood in four ways:
  1. Naam (Name): Remembering the Lord by name.
  2. Sthapna (Establishment): Devotion through idols or representations.
  3. Dravya (Substance): Devotion through materials related to the divine (e.g., offerings).
  4. Bhav (Internal Feeling/Attitude): True devotion through inner purity and contemplation.
  • An analogy of a clock is used to explain these four types.
• Illustrative Examples of the Navkar Mantra's Power:
  • Monkey and the Engraved Stone: A monkey, by seeing the Navkar Mantra engraved on a stone, is said to have improved its future lives.
  • Princess Sudarshana: A eagle hearing the Navkar Mantra was reborn as Princess Sudarshana, who later built a temple.
  • The Srimati Story (Pages 19-20, 29-30): A prominent story of Srimati, who, due to her devotion to the Navkar Mantra, transformed a venomous snake into a garland of flowers when asked by her father-in-law. This event converted her father-in-law and husband to the faith.
  • The Thief on the Gallow: A thief, when about to be executed, was instructed to chant "Namo Arihantanam." He mistakenly chanted "Anuntaanaam" (part of the mantra) but due to his sincere intent at the time of death, attained a heavenly realm.
  • Jinadatta Seth: Jinadatta Seth was saved from fetching a poisonous fruit for the king by chanting the Navkar Mantra, which appeased the guardian deity.
  • Eagle's Rebirth: An eagle, upon hearing the Navkar Mantra from a monk, was reborn as Princess Sudarshana in Bharuch and later built a temple.
  • Kamath Tapa's Yajna: Lord Parshvanath's presence during a yajna, where a snake was about to be burned, led to the snake being instructed to chant the Navkar Mantra, transforming it into Dharanendra, who then protected the Lord.
  • Numerous other examples are cited, including the story of Shivkumar turning an army into women, and references to Sri Pal, Mayan Sundari, Amar Kumar, Rani Ratnavati, emphasizing the power of devotion and the mantra.
• Methods of Practice and Aradhana (Worship/Devotion):
  • Jaghanya (Inferior) Aradhana: 9 days of ekasana (eating once a day) with 2,000 recitations of the Navkar Mantra daily.
  • Madhyam (Medium) Aradhana: 20 days of kheer (rice pudding) ekasana with 5,000 recitations daily.
  • Utkrushta (Superior) Aradhana: 18 days of Upadhan Tapa (a rigorous fasting and austerity practice) with specific daily rituals, including 36,000 Navkar recitations, 1,800 "Logassa" recitations, and 1,800 "Khamasamaana" recitations.
• The Significance of Recitation:
  • The mantra's letters have a profound effect, akin to the impact of a name in telecommunication or everyday life.
  • The power of names is illustrated through examples of people responding to their names, animals responding to theirs, and the names of virtuous people being invoked for good fortune.
  • The mantra's efficacy is linked to the purity of intent and faith ("shraddha").
• Practical Guidance for Recitation:
  • Consistency: Maintain a fixed time, seat, direction, prayer beads (Navkarwali), and count for daily recitation.
  • Fingers for Recitation: Different fingers are associated with different intentions: thumb for Moksha, middle finger for wealth/happiness, index finger for conquering enemies, ring finger for peace, and pinky for attraction.
  • Concentration: Emphasizes the importance of focused recitation with mind, speech, and body, warning against distracted chanting.
  • Prayer Beads (Navkarwali): Discusses the merit gained from using prayer beads made of different materials (cotton, plastic, wood, silver, coral, gold, pearls, gemstones, conch shell, putra jiva seed, sandalwood), with specific numerical multipliers of merit.
  • Number of Beads (108): Explains that 108 beads represent the 108 virtues to be acquired and the 108 types of sins (avaguna) to be removed.
• The Panch Parmeshthi and Their Virtues:
  • Detailed descriptions of the specific virtues of Arihants (12), Siddhas (8), Acharyas (36), Upadhyayas (25), and Sadhus (27) are provided, totalling 108. These virtues are the qualities that practitioners aim to cultivate by chanting the mantra.
  • The 12 Angas (scriptural divisions) of Jainism are also listed.
• The Power of Letters and Words: The text highlights how even single letters or words can have a significant impact, citing the example of a mother calling out her son's name ("Hans") to ward off snake venom.
• The Navkar Mantra's Names: It mentions four names for the mantra:
  1. Agamic Name: Shri Panch Mangal Mahashrut Skandha.
  2. Siddhantic Name: Shri Panch Parmeshthi Namaskar Mahamantra.
  3. Vyavaharik Name: Shri Namaskar Mahamantra.
  4. Roodh Name: Shri Navkar Mantra.
• Daily Observances: The importance of reciting the mantra in the morning and before sleep is stressed. Three mantras upon waking to overcome karmic impurities and seven before sleep to detach from worldly possessions and overcome fears.
• The Essence of the Mantra: The mantra helps in overcoming worldly desires and fears, and leads to a pure and fragrant life, ultimately guiding towards the state of Paramatma (Supreme Soul).
• The Meaning of Panch Parmeshthi: Explains who the Panch Parmeshthi are: Arihant and Siddha as gods, and Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu as gurus.
• The Meaning of Arihant: The one who has destroyed internal enemies (kashayas like anger, pride, deceit, greed) and has achieved omniscience.
• Conclusion: The booklet concludes by reiterating the mantra's profound efficacy, emphasizing that devotion, performed with sincerity and adherence to scriptures, yields direct results. It encourages consistent recitation and devotion to the Panch Parmeshthi to attain peace, prosperity, and liberation.

In essence, "Navkar Mantra Aradhana Prabhav Pustika 2" is a devotional guide that aims to inspire and educate Jains on the profound spiritual benefits and practical methods of reciting the Navkar Mantra, illustrating its power through stories and scriptural references.