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in verses 21 and 22 in Bhaktamara Stotra but without keeping the order of the words of the mantra. The three letters of the second verse read va-sa-ha and it can be noticed that Cintamani mantra is indicated here. So also 38th, 26th, 47th and 48th letters read vi-sa-ha-ra. 23rd, and 38th, letters of 22nd verse read pra-sa which can be considered as pa-sa. Thus, the words sphulinga and namiuna too are there. Thus it can be noticed that Cintamanimantra is enshrined in it.
• STORY 17 - SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INSTRUCTION OF THE PRECEPTOR
It was the times of elder Bhimadeva in Anahila Patan in Gujarat. A person by name Canika was selling grams. He was worshipping with 26th verse and became very rich. Three big earthen pots of grams (Chana) became gold as it were, due to the power of his worship.
The instructions of a teacher was that following five things were to be observed. They were viz., 1) The verse 'tubhyam namo' 2) 108 Namaskar mahamantra 3) celibacy 4) devotion to Parsvantha and Adisvara and 5) worship to Mahalaksmi. He did accordingly.
The devotees of Bhaktamara must chant 108 times Namaskara mahamantra and in order to get rid of poverty one must worship Mahalaksmi. Mahalaksmi is companion of Cakresvari. When Cakresvari is pleased with the devotees, Mahalaksmi blesses them with her grace (wealth). Canika put the wealth he got to proper use. He constructed a new temple for Rsabhadeva and repaired and restored Mahalaksmi temple.
The word tubhyam is repeated four times and yam also gets repeated four times along with it. 'Ya'is used to get 1) friends 2) fulfilment of desires 3) success in concentration and 4) awakening of 'sattvaguna', says Bijakasara Kosa. In this story the grace of Laksmi is fulfilment of every desires.
• STORY 18 - SIGNIFICANCE OF ATTAM PENANCE
This pertains to the story of King Hala, ruling from Pratisthana on the banks of River Godavari. He was childless. Inspite of practices of so many religions he remained childless. When he approached a Jain sadhu he taught the King Bhaktamara worship and the need for daily recitation. When he worshipped accordingly, Cakresvari appeared before him on the third day, gave him a divine flower-garland. She told him to make the queen wear it. And the queen gave birth to a son. The happier King named him Cakradasa.
The tradition of method of worship for begetting a son is not fully described in the story. But we can deduce that King Hala must have performed an attam penance i.e., continuous fast for three days and recited Bhaktamara too and goddess appeared before him to fulfil his desires. People doing such a severe penance like King Hala will get their desires fulfiled.
• STORY 19 - SIGNIFICANCE OF CHANTING THE MANTRAS AT THREE SANDHYAS
No story is attached to verses 28, 29, and 30. Commentaries on 31st sloka refer to the story of Gopala a shepherd. Good natured Gopala was recognised as a bhavya-jiva by the Guru and was taught Bhaktamara and Navkar mahamantra. He learnt it with diligence and faith and used to recite them daily with devotion; himself practising jain tenets. He saw an idol of jina shining with pratiharyas in his dream. The next day he found an idol of a jina in the arazina ground. He placed it on a proper place and recited Bhaktamara before the idol three times a day for six months. Cakresvari appeared before him and made him a King and even helped him win a war too.
The information of the importance three-times-a-day, for six months to achieve desired results can be deduced from this story.
• STORY 20 - SIGNIFICANCE OF MANTRA-TRADITION
The story narrates the incidents in the life of Jinahak, a commander in the army of King Bhima of Gujarat. The story is mentioned in other Jain works too. Commander-in-chief got Dhavalakapura (modern Dholka) rid of thieves and the local inhabitants did not have the fear of
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