Book Title: Comparative Study of Mantrashastra
Author(s): Mohanlal Bhagwandas Jhaveri
Publisher: Sarabhai Manilal Nawab

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Page 181
________________ 172 INTRODUCTION spiritual worshipper and voluntarily aid him in whatever he does though he never desires their aid. It is thus that Mantravāda which is principally connected with Adhidaivikavāda leads to Adhyātmavāda and is practised even by persons striving only for final beatitude. Om, Hrim, and Arham are the Mantra Bijas usually recited by such Adhyātmikas. We may here mention that of the various Tāntrika Sampradāyas already mentioned the Jains may be said to follow Kashmere Sampradāya, for the reasons that Jain worship is essentially Sāttvika and that Jains are known from the most ancient times to worship Sarasvati or Sștadevatā, the goddess of learning, and the principal quality of Tirthankara is omniscience universal knowledge,* and Sarasvati is known to be a Sáuvika deity, principally worshipped in Kashmere Sampradaya, and Kashmere is known to be her abode.+ It is true that sometimes she is worshipped there under the name of Tripurā, but it is only another name of Sarasvati. It is said by a Tāntrika writer that of the 51 or 52 Pithas $ in various parts of India, the Pitha at Kashmere is of Ksira-Bhavānix who can be easily identified with Sarasvati who is known to be of milk-like whiteness. According to Bhagavati Bhagavata the Pitha there is of Medhā or intellect. According to a legend the famous scholar Hemacandrācārya also proceeded towards Kashmere for the Sadhanā of Sarasvati but she was pleased to grant him the desired boon on the way and he returned to Cambay having achieved his object. Similarly as Jain Acāra is Sāttvika it can be * See Nirvånakalikä P. 34 where Shakti of Arhan is said to be Jnanashakti i. e. Sarasvati. + 'नमस्ते शारदे देवि काश्मीरपुरवासिनि ।'-सरस्वतीरहस्योपनिषत् । § The Pithas are considered to be 72 or 108 according to other authorities. * The Pitha is situate near Gandharval which is fifteen miles to the north of Srinagar, the capital of Kashmere. The temple of Kșirabhavāni is in the midst of a Kunda or tank. The deity is variously known as Yogamåyå or Mahāmāyā. A fair is held in her honour on Jyeștha Suklā Aşgami each year. See p. 639 Shakti-issue Vol. IX Kalyāna, 1934. Jain Education International 2010_03 For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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