________________
power and ability of seeing. Therefore, Mahavira has asked why the practitioner would need outward light once his vision has itself become the source (instrument) of removing darkness.
Once established in light, the practitioner hears various types of sweet inner melodious sounds. The saints have named this sound the Anahad (Un-struck, self producing divine sound). Through the technique of Shabad Yoga (Yoga of Divine Sound) the practitioner goes beyond these sounds and enters the eternal sound-Pranava dhvani OM (the cosmic sound of OM), Through this the practitioner reaches God (paramatma—the Supreme Spirit) and reaches the point where the distinction between the devotee (practitioner) and God (object of worship) disappears. The soul which is united with the Supreme Soul, becomes the Supreme Soul. This state is known as moksha, nirvana, or mukti (Absolute Freedom). A discussion on Shabad Yoga is found in the text, Jnanarnva composed by Shrishubhachandracharya:
This dhyana (intense concentration) moves from one sound to another, and from one yoga to another. Therefore, it is known as that which is endowed with focus and logic.
Lord Mahavira speaks of the experience of the Bindu—point in meditation as the experience of sva (inner self). Dr. Hukumchand Bharill in his book, Tirthankara Mahavira and his
103