________________
JAIN MANTRAVADA AND CAITYAVASIS: WORSHIP OF MANTRA-DEITY 171
सुयदेवयाए जीए संभरणं कम्मखयकरं भणियं । नस्थिति अकनकरी व एवमासायणा तीए ।
Readers interested in a detailed discussion are referred to Sāmācārī Sataka by Upadhyāya Sri Samayasundara P. 186 et seq. There a further objection against worship of deities, who have not attained salvation, is raised that they are at a lower stage of spiritual progress (Guņasthānaka) viz. the fourth while even a layman who has taken vows meant for the laity is on the fifth and Sadhus on still higher stages and that it is not proper that a person more advanced spiritually should worship one who is at a lower spiritual stage. The author while meeting this objection cites a verse to the effect that even a layman knowing only Pancaparamești-Mantra (and therefore not gone beyond the fourth stage of spiritual progress) should be looked upon with such regard as is shown to the best of friends.* This is on the principle that even the slightest merit does deserve praise and praise of one possessing the right faith destroys the veil of Karmas. It is therefore natural that the deities possessing the right faith though only on the fourth stage of spiritual progress being endowed with great miraculous powers and supersensual knowledge may be worshipped for obtaining the right faith, higher knowledge or miraculous powers or worldly happiness. By obtaining the right faith and higher knowledge one advances on the path leading to salvation and thus worship of Mantra-deities also can contribute towards spiritual uplift and ultimate salvation of the worshipper. But those who care for final beatitude only will naturally prefer to worship as their ideal deity only one who is Siddha and Mukta. They are pure Adhyātmavādis. Some intermediary deities however are much pleased with such a truly
* " तम्हा सव्वपयत्तेणं जो नमुकारधारओ । सावओ सोऽवि दिव्वो जहा परमबंधवो | "
8 "जा दिट्टीदानमित्तेण देइ पणयाण नरसुरसमिद्धिं ।
सिवपुररज्जं आणारयाण देवीइ तीइ नमो ॥ आराधनापताका ॥
Jain Education International 2010_03
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
