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Scientists may or may not have been non-believers. But scientific investigations have thrown up enormous possibilities and advanced gadgets and lo! some of these landed into the laps of fanatics and reckless non-believers and anti social elements.
The advances made in modern science make even some of the non-believers accept the power of mantras. With the development of science, people will be able to understand the efficacy of mantras. The power of mantras which combine the power of atoms and mind and infinite power of soul are capable of achieving even the impossible.
Second Explanation: The messages to gods definitely reach the heavens through mantras. If the god is pleased with the person who sends the message i.e., the worshipper through mantra-tantra-yantra or stotra then the god so pleased helps the fulfilment of the required work or the desire of the worshipper with his super-natural power. In a way the mantras can be termed as code words to get to the gods.
We can describe mantra and vidya in the following ways perhaps - when the power of words, the spiritual power of the worshipper and the power of the mind atoms are capable of working together in physical ways then it can be termed as mantra. If the sounds attract the gods and get the works completed through them it can be termed vidya.
Whatever may be their definition or description, through the methodology of these mantras impossible goals, we find are achieved. Be it mantra or vidya with the help of devas who remain far away, these methods are capable of getting our desires fulfilled and it shows their power and efficacy. The more we discuss mantras, the deeper they become and we get a feeling that more and more things are there to be known.
They (mantras and vidyas) don't confine themselves to fulfilment of physical achievements alone. They help manifestation of soul power, lead atma away from mundane attractions make him detached and finally help him get rid of the pair love and hatred and proceed to moksa. They help him to achieve spiritual forbearance, humility, tranquility, and contentment and also help him realise bliss till the attainment of moksa. When he goes up in the ladder of meditation, then he is able to feel the anahata-sound. At the time the extremes of nature and the opposite dualities like scorching heat and biting cold, pain and pleasure exercise no influence on him. He becomes capable of achieving feats others cannot even think of. He goes near his soul, and the mantra even helps him realise his soul.
The fruits of mantra and vidya in yoga-sadhana and atma-sadhana at the end appear alike. Hence Mantrasastra is not only to be believed but also to be respected and practised.
Is Bhaktamara connected with any other mantra and if so what are they?
Bhaktamara is connected with esoteric Surimantra too, as it is said to be an elaboration of Navkar-mantra. Great many Acaryas of Jainism were the practitioners of Surimantra. They contemplated over it three times a day. The spell of Surimantra can be seen in the verses 12 to 20 according to some Acaryas and yet other people feel it is to be seen in verses 21 to 26. Some Acaryas are of the opinion that Cintamani mantra too is enshrined in these verses. Benevolent Acarya Manatunga wanted to help even householders. As they did not have access to Surimantra, already restricted to Acaryas, he introduced its elements in The Bhaktamara, so that the practitioners would be greatly benefited i.e.; even the laity would be able to reap the benefit of the Surimantra without practising it. Some more vidyas and mantras that are enshrined in Bhaktamara are referred to in the story section.
Acarya Simhatilaka Surisvarji in his Mantrarajarahasya says (see verses 13 to 39) that these verses 12 to 19 deal with eight mahavidyas and has described the methods to practise them too. The vidyas are as follows :
(The order of the slokas is maintained as in The Bhaktamara Stotra but are considered to give different results than the one suggested by Sri Simhatilaka Suri).
332 Jain Education International 2010_04
Rahasya Darshan
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