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11 To get the knowledge of future and to ward off obstructions or troubles that are in store
for one in the near future; 12 To manage to look after very big congregations at the time of consecrations etc., without
much problem; 13 To help the influential laity in spreading the Jain tenets; 14. To bless the devotees, who have moksa as their final goal and work accordingly, with
consecrated fragrant powder for success in their endeavours; 15. To ward off any obstruction in the construction of the new temples or monasteries when
the same has stopped for some mysterious reasons or the renovation work of an old
temple could not be taken up, and to lead the work to a smooth finale; 16. To remain prepared to enter into samadhi by knowing the last days; 17. To protect Jain religion in case of danger from other religionists or fanatics.
Thus many great things had been achieved by the power of mantras and are being achieved too.
Will any one resort to this type of mantra, yantra etc., to achieve some thing in this Age of Science ?
We accept that science is progressing rapidly now and the level of intelligence of people too is expanding very fast. But the belief in mantra too is growing on the other hand and it can not be reverted back.
But we also experience wrong and atrocious things committed by pseudo-saints in the name of religion and miracles. Equally some propagation of pseudo-science also is going on in the name of science. It is necessary to know the opinion of good scientists on this. Science does not consider anything as beyond proof, and is not even prepared to accept things which are not proved except for discussion. Science may say that no evidence is available on the independent existence of the soul. But it never says that there is no soul at all in the absence of proof. It is possible that science and untainted religious tenets may become harmonious oneday.
The relevance of mantra, yantra and tantra in the modern age remains very much there to be answered. Even now in this age of science everyone loves his own self very much. No one likes to end his life thinking oneself to be a combination of a few chemicals only. Both the hedonist and atheist as well as the theist want to live their full lives. Life means attempt to be happy and ward off pain and suffering.
Let not a person believe in the independent existence of the soul. But even then he must subscribe to the existence of the soul. Mantra is a great method to console and make the individual's life purposeful.
What a non-believer would do if a close relative of his were to fall seriously ill ? Even if he were to be hard-hearted, he will wish only a quick recovery. He will use only kind and consoling words so as not to make him feel the suffering. This makes the need of mantras even in this age clear. Why say so ? The need is all the more greater now for the feeling of insecurity too is all the more greater now. People are not able to say certainly that the person who went out will return in the evening the same way. People at the house are always apprehensive of some danger in megapolises. In this insecure environs people cannot remain without thinking of God, deities or a mantra or stotra.
People proclaim that the mankind has been saved from such fatal diseases as TB and Smallpox. But we hear of new diseases as virus infection, cancer and AIDS. Hence the mankind is forced to wage a war with new problems even if the old one is solved. It is irrational to think that the help of a super-human power is not needed. Man is selfish and prone to enjoy his life fully. He strictly follows the prescription of the physician including food and drink restrictions when he falls sick. But once cured, his behaviour changes and he never follows the rules to
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