Bhaktamara Darshan

Author(s): Rajyashsuri
Publisher: Jain Dharm Fund Pedhi Bharuch

Page 375

tradition has no longer been accepted and the situation changed. Hence the tradition of mantras have become less effective.
Can it not be revived?
Nothing should be considered impossible. Many people are making sincere efforts. The very attraction of so many people to pseudo-saints who boast of such siddhis and the tendency of these pseudo-saints to take it up itself is a proof that some real saints in some corner of our Mother Earth must have achieved some siddhi.
I feel that a serious, sincere and sustained efforts in this regard may definitely bear fruit. Will not the saints fall from the control of Sense organs, mind etc., by the practice of such mantras ? Atleast will they not have a fear of fall? Then why should you consider it important?
A fall will be there if one were to resort to it without the permission and guidance of a Guru and a clear knowledge and vision of atma. But if one were to give it up for the fear of fall, even acceptance of renunciation would not be possible. The practice of mantra alone is not the cause of any fall. Fame, familiarity, thirst for honour and pride are responsible for a fall. But one cannot close the very route of devotion and mantra because of the fear of fall. One has to keep oneself away from pitfalls and try not to nurture such feelings. Of the eight powerful persons (like poet, astrologer, yogi etc.), described in Jain religion one is said to be a person with mantric powers.
Hence the due importance to the practice of mantra must necessarily be given. Even in this age, one can practise and accomplish mantras and propagate religion.
If the practitioners can exchange notes among themselves with a broadmindedness and co-operative attitude, it will be possible to revive the mantric tradition.
Is there any such idea for the resurrection of the influential times by reviving the mantric traditions?
The scriptures have declared that the Jain tradition will be respected and honoured increasingly after the completion of two thousand and five hundred years after Lord Mahavira. Acarya Jinaprabha Suri too had stated that the times will change and people would be able to see gods and goddesses by their mantric powers. Therefore, the return of the age of mantras and vidyas must be possible. But since this happens to be an age of descending values, results may be less compared to the golden age. Even then the power of mantras should be well within one's experience. The effects of the mantras can be seen with effort and by meritorious persons in these days too. We hope the efforts of the practitioners to keep the attending deities to be alert and guarded in protecting the religion and lead the souls with wrong faith to the right faith. Let them hold on to correct knowledge and be wise. Let them try to control their senseorgans in turn and be Controllers quickly (i.e., let them become sadhus). Let them be alert and guarded in their conduct and behaviour and become nikatabhavi i.e., capable of attaining salvation in less number of births. Let them do good to others and one's own self without any expectations. Thus let them proclaim victory to the commands of jinas.
Saints can practise mantras. Can the laity too practise them and become influential ?
If we look at the stories on The Bhaktamara Stotra we can know that the laity too have practised and accomplished The Bhaktamara Stotra and helped the saints in the conduct of the religion. People with a serious and sincere quest can practise mantras under the guidance of their saint-preceptors.
Will the entire world be converted to Jainism by the practice of such mantras ? Will all people become good?
your question is a little out of place and objectionable. We know in the best of times one hundred and seventy Tirthankaras moved around in the universe upto two and half dvipas. Even at that time, the entire world has not become Jain. Then, how can one expect that the world would be converted to Jainism by the practice of mantras alone.
Rahasya Darshan
327