________________
a position to visit pilgrim centres or centres of spiritual importance. Their pilgrimage is not termed as incomplete on that account. (But such a visit will definitely make their guruvandanas more meaningful and more complete). We only wish that the laity-worshipper of Bhaktamara followed other rules of house-holder with due respect and regard.
TYPES OF WORSHIP The method of recitation mentioned in the sub-section "Proper Order of Recitation" is to be practised by a devout Jain daily. But Bhaktamara being a work with the enshrinement of mantras it is enjoined to be used in special ways too, for specific purposes and in these ways it can be recited separately too. There is a very vast literature available on this aspect. But the rules like daily temple worship etc., would remain very much. Even this special worship of Bhaktamara is to be preceded by navakarjapa according to rule. All these will be made clear in the following sections.
Navkar is a very great mantra. Even the great acaryas have shown us many yantras and tantras based on navkar and ways of worship too. A few references on navkar-worship are note worthy.
"Those who recite navkar eight crores and eight lakhs and eight thousand and eight hundred and eight times will get moksa in their third birth" says Namaskarasvadhyaya
(Prakrt page-438). B. If the person who starts performing nine-lakn navkar japa were not to complete it,
will not enter hell or the world of animals for his rebirth. if his avusva-karma is not fixed prior to it.
A.
C. If a person performs one hundred thousand navkar with flowers etc., as prescribed,
then he acquires tirthankara-nama-karma. Hence one of these three methods are to be followed by him, who performs navkarjapa. We feel that as a prelude to the worship of Bhaktamara, one method of navkarjapa must be practised.
Bhaktamara has many many ways of worship such as tantra, yantra and mantra. To know them and practise them also is worship of Bhaktamara only.
I was anxious to know for long years the method of Bhaktamara worship from original sources. Once I chanced to see a book in the library at Vadali. It has been stated in that work, that anyone who completes, the recitation of Bhaktamara one hundred and twenty-five thousand times, gets Bhaktamara-siddhi. When I narrated this information to our preceptor, he told me that he had already completed the recitation so many times. Many people may bear witness to his super-natural powers or Bhaktamara-siddhi.
More of the siddhis had been elaborated in a Rahasya Darsan. But the importance of one hundred and twenty-five thousand times recitation is very much there. But other works are hardly helpful in this regard and we do not get any information about Bhaktamara-siddhas. But those who want to recite One lakh and twenty-five thousand times must keep the rules laid down in these pages in mind.
Time taken to complete a japa : The recitations are not to be done very fast or very slow. True. But the concept of fast or slow is relative. A person may be able to recite fast without blurring or being indistinct. It will be better if the rhythm of recitation follows that of breathing. If one walks according to one's rhythm of breathing, the exertion will not be felt and can walk longer distances. It will neither be exerting nor very slow. In the same way neither will there be an overlap or blurring or physical tiresomeness nor drowsiness.
So, if a person recites it in moderate beats he may take twelve minutes to complete the recitation. He has to do atleast six hours a day, i.e., two hours at each sandhya and he can recite it thirty times and he will be able to complete it in about twelve years. One who wants to complete it earlier can do sixty times a day and complete the aradhana in six years.
Aradhana Darshan
361
Jain Education International 2010_04
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
