Book Title: Bhaktamara Darshan
Author(s): Rajyashsuri
Publisher: Jain Dharm Fund Pedhi Bharuch

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Page 412
________________ pestle, bow, quiver and spear in each of them. It mounts on swan. It tastes like badara fruit. Its tone is similar to the thunder of the cloud and smells like campaka flower. Vasikarana - bringing under the spell is the prayoga that fascinates bhakara. It is presided over by Kubera and it belongs to neuter gender. Thus the nature of each letter is to be known thoroughly and they can be meditated upon too. They can proceed with other letters too. If people find such meditation tiresome they can choose easier methods too. When an aspirant gets interested and gets firmly established in meditation he will come to know many more such meditational techniques. Those who want to meditate with Bhaktamara should know the meaning of every word, every compound and every sloka, themselves thoroughly. The inner consciousness does not manifest till the meaning has not been made one's own. Meditation is the experience of bliss. Hence if people do the worship without interest or without any control over themselves, they will not be able to reap any benefit. Some people who are unable to follow Sanskrit, follow or recite translations of Bhaktamara in order to enjoy the beauty of and feel one with the idea expressed. It is natural. People can experience the pleasure of Bhaktamara recitation when translated in their mother tongue. But the mantras which are enshrined in Bhaktamara, will have been meditated upon or recited only when we recite the original slokas composed by the great soul and not their translations or paraphrases. The purpose of recitation of Bhaktamara must not only be the enjoyment of its literary beauties but also to get religious and spiritual benefits. Hence we must recite Bhaktamara as prescribed in the scriptures i.e., in Sanskrit original only. While reciting the original, we not only get the benefit of the blessings of the author but also the blessings of those who practised it later on, as the pudgalas of speech and mind are spread everywhere. The atoms of sound and mind are capable of spreading everywhere and long lasting according to the Jains. The excellent atmosphere offered by such acceptance should not be wasted. The recitations of the modern day practitioners too get mixed with such 'eternal' sound units and are capable of getting redoubled to the benefit of the sadhaka. THE THREE-DAY PENANCE Penance, is one of the worthy and great practices of Jainism. The penance in times of crises also is well-known in Jainism. Even impossible things are got by prayer done with penance. Penance is indeed indispensable to get realisation (jnana). The upadhan penance is arranged for Navkar mantra and other sutras. Saints have resorted to yogodvahan penance before learning Avasyakasutra, Dasavaikalika sutra, Uttaradhyayana sutra, Acaranga sutra, and the like. Penance is definitely required for fructification of mantras, worship and japa. The practice of penance is not possible without ahimsa (non-violence) and samyama (self-control). Hence, penance must be counted after ahimsa and samyama. From the angle of Astangayoga (of Patanjali) ahimsa may be considered as yama and samyama, niyama and penance as forming the rest viz., asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (contraction), dharana (single pointedness), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi. Penance is not only auspicious to the individual but does good to the entire community. If we want to have a better look at it, we can say, ahimsa is the insulation, samyama the cable line and penance the passing current. One will not be able to reap any benifit without the current. So too, Bhaktamara expects the current of penance for it to bear fruit. The attham penance of Bhaktamara had been performed a number of times under the guidance of our Rev. Guru. We explain the rules of attham penance for the benifit of aspirants. Attham penance means continuous fast for three days and sadhaka must not take anything except boiled and cooled water. Besides they must observe the following practices. Those who have learnt the Bhaktamara by heart can do 1250 or 125 times of Bhaktamara recitation. 364 Aradhana Darshan Jain Education International 2010_04 For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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