Yasastilaka and Indian Culture

SR No.: 001609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishnakant Handiqui
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 566
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Story, Literature, & Culture
File Size: 16 MB

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YAŠASTILAKA AND INDIAN CULTURE
"Let a king, having acquired glory by dint of virtue, be for the sake of Virtue, favourable to the practice of the virtues and those who are devoted to Virtue. Let the people, too, obtain at will the highest prosperity, ever blessed with the religious merit accruing from the worship of Lord Jina's feet.'
c) The ritual of worship is followed by the singing of hymns in praise of Jina. The next item is Japa or the repetition of the famous Pañcaparameşthi-mantra consisting of thirtyfive letters:
“णमो अरहताणं, णमो सिद्धाणं, णमो आयरियाणं, णमो उवज्झायाणं, णमो लोए सव्वसाहूर्ण ।" This is the sarvākşara-mantra. Somadeva refers also to the nāmākşara formula consisting only of the names of the five Parameşthins, the mukhyāksara formula consisting of the initial letters of the names of the Parameşthins, and formulas consisting of a single letter such as Oms or 31, but he prefers the one consisting of thirtyfive letters as the most authoritative. The counting of the letters is to be done with a rosary composed of lotus seeds or golden beads or sunstones or gems, and the counting may also be done with flowers or on the finger-joints. The formula is to be repeated in full, very clearly, with stress on the final anusvāras. The repetition of the mantra may be vocal or mental, the latter method being the more efficacious. Great mystic value is attached to this formula which is eloquently praised by our author.
d) Japa is followed by dhyāna or meditation. The thirtyninth section of Book VIII deals with this important subject, and belongs, in fact, to a type of Jaina mystic literature represented by such works as Kundakunda's Mokkhapähuda and Niyamasāra. Samādhisataka, Yogindu's Paramātmaprakāša, Subhacandra's Jñānārņava and Devasena's Ārādhanāsūra. There are different kinds of dhyāna, but the fundamental basis of the Jaina system of meditation is the contemplation and realisation of the true nature of the Self. It is necessary to remember at the outset that Jaina doctrine l'ecognises three kinds of Self: bahirātmá or the outer
1 "Tefingrettigiegitaargyi A: 1" Ms. A says 376 AG i. 3 3 3 3941" 3 See Section (d). 4 Hatacara HETER autfernal afirf 79 Baca T ita il P. 390. See also Dravya.
samgraha, verse 49 and Brahmadeva's comm. thereon. qorts at Etqu a gafa
जवह झाएह । परमेट्ठिवाचयाणं अण्णं च गुरूवएसेण ॥ 5 पुष्पैः पर्वभिरम्वुजबीजस्वर्णाकान्तरलैर्वा । निष्कम्पिताक्षवलयः पर्यस्थो जपं कुर्यात् ।। 6 T ETË AACHET 6997:!'