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going up. They asked Bhagavan Mahavir the reason for the vidyadhar's continued failure at efforts to fly. He said, "This vidyadhar is trying to perfect the magical power of flying in the sky. But he is missing one letter from the mantra and therefore is unable to perfect it. He flies and falls back like a bird with clipped wings.” Prime minister Abhaya Kumar was endowed with the Padanusarini Labdhi (the skill of knowing the complete verse or mantra by listening just one letter or word of the verse). On hearing Bhagavan's comment he at once went to the vidyadhar and said—“Brother ! If you recite the mantra of the power to fly I will be able to tell you the missing letter." The vidyadhar agreed and recited the mantra. Abhaya Kumar was able to know the missing letter with the help of his skill. When the vidyadhar chanted the then complete mantra he flew in the sky without any problem.
This story explains how missing of just one letter from a mantra makes it worthless. When missing of just one letter is not desired in mundane mantras how can it be tolerated in reciting scriptures, which are spiritual mantras ? Therefore, reciting of scriptures should be without missing any letter. Reading without missing a syllable alone can lead to liberation. (for details see Haribhadriya Vritti of Visheshavashyak Bhashya, verse 864, p. 40, Ed. Muni Jambu Vijaya)
(2) Extending a syllable-(i) Patliputra was the capital of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka. He had a son named Kunal from his senior queen. When he grew a little he was sent to Ujjaini. When he became eight years old a messenger from Ujjaini brought the news to the emperor. Ashoka at once wrote a note to be sent to Ujjaini—“Idanimadhiyatam kumarah.” (make the prince commence his education). After writing, the emperor proceeded to attend some urgent task and left the note unsealed. His other queen, who was standing there, got the chance to read the note. She thought-I too have a son, Mahendra, who is younger than Kunal. The king will make Kunal his heir because it is his right and not that of my son.' Thinking thus she took a आवश्यक प्रकरण
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