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अनेकान्त 69/2, अप्रैल-जून, 2016
Ultimately, mystical powers should not be confused with magic. In the present paper an attempt has been made to present mystical powers found in Jainism with special reference to va yaka Niryukti.
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Concept of Labdhi in Jainism
Mystical powers are technically called as 'labdhi' in Jaiism. It is also called ddhi, sidhi or yogaja viba. It is the excellence, which is not found in ordinary people. In Jain scriptures-two-ways are described to attain the mystical powers.
(a) Due to elimination of karmas- One can attain these supernatural power or mystical power due to destructioncum-subsidence (kayopa ama) or destruction (kaya) of the relevat karma-s. That is, by natural purity one attains these powers.
(b) Due to spiritual practices-One can attain these powers through spiritual practices like penance, medita tion, mantras, etc. One has to obtain these powers by special effort.
Even Ghera a sa hita, mentions five years ways to attain these siddhis, such as janmaja (by birth), au adhaja (by medicines), mantraja (by mantras), tapaja (by penance) and samadhija (by deep concentration or meditation. So, the former, janmaja can be said as powers obtained naturally and last four can be categoried under the second one (i.e.) the power obtained due to spiritual practices. Possessor of Mystical Powers
All cannot attain these mystical powers. Only highly spiritually developed male and female can attain these powers. But due to certain limitations of physical strenght of the body, female are not capable to attain all the pwers. According to Jainism one