Comparative and Critical Study of Mantrashastra

SR No.: 006540
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri, K V Abhayankar
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 635
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English & Culture
File Size: 18 MB

Page 288

ANTIQUITY OF JAIN MANTRAS PINDANIRYUKTI
279
ascetic who is constantly attended upon by deities pleased with him. because of his severe austerities. V. 462 (p. 133) refers to miraculous powers obtained inter alia through Vidya such as driving away or killing an opponent. V. 465 (P. 134) refers to 'Labdhi' (miraculous power obtained through development of soul). Pindaniryukti vv. 494-500 and Bhāṣya v. 44 refer to Vidya, Mantra, Cûrņa, Añjana and Yoga.
They mention as illustrations of their employment a Sadhu who obtained rich food from a very miserly and mean person through previous enchantment of his house; Padaliptasūri who cured King Murunda of severe headache by moving his index-finger round his own knee accompanied with mental recitation of Mantra; two young sadhus who became invisible by application of magical collyrium to their eyes and who used to dine with King Chandragupta unknown to him, but were discovered by Caṇakya; and Arya Samitasuri (see note p. 191 ante) who through mixture of magical powders divided the waters of the river Bena and crossed over to the opposite bank. The said passage also describes the evils likely to follow from the employment of Vidya or Mantra viz. that the opponent might employ counter-Vidya or Mantra and might paralyse, drive away or kill the person who first used Mantra or Vidya; or there may be a scandal amongst the people that the person employing Vidya or Mantra is deceitful and lives sinfully, harming others, and might be arrested, tortured, made to give up the dress of Sadhu or might be capitally punished on a complaint being made to the Government that he is a magician injuring others through magical practices. Pindaniryukti v. 499 states that there might be an exception in the case of a properly qualified person; Acharya Malayagiri in his commentary thereon says that such a person should employ Mantra for the sake of the Jain fold. This makes it quite clear that the Jain scriptures although prohibiting employment of Mantras and Vidyas generally recognise an exception and recommend employment of Mantras and Vidyas by a properly qualified person for the sake of the Sangha.
* " सङघादिप्रयोजने मन्त्रोऽपि प्रयोक्तव्य इति भावार्थः । "