________________
209
surpassed all attachments (Vitaraga)? I am gloriously seated in the court of Shri Prabhu. What peace, what joy is here!"
There was ringing of the bell in the Dehrasar, as if in response to the unspoken words of the peacock. Shri Jagmal Sheth had arrived for Darshan as per his habit.
After Darshan he went to pay his respects to Maharaj Saheb who had arrived that very morning.
"Honoured sir! your arrival has sanctified us all," said Jagmal Sheth.
"Please tell me. What are the feelings of Dharma in the town?"
"Feelings of Dharma! They do not seem to exist. It seems that people are losing their faith in Dharma. Kindly give a religious sermon; that might bring about a change in their minds!"
“All-right, I shall deliver a sermon tomorrow."
Next day a huge crowd of devotees collected. All were happy in joyous mood because they were to hear religious discourse from a Sadhu Maharaj after a long time.
Muniraj made all spell-bound by his discourse. Shravakas not going for regular Darshan resolved to go for regular Darshan. His very important sermon was this :
“Just as you can cross the sea by a boat, you can swim over the sea of life with the boat in form of the Navakara Mantra. In the Jaina order the boat for swimming over the sea of life is the Mahamantra. Even the worst of obstacles come to an end by memorizing the Navakara Mahamantra. The only
