Essence of Jainism Part 01

Author(s): Kushalchandravijay
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

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SHRI V.NEMI-VIGNAN KASTURSURI SMRUTI SERIES
PART - I
SHRI NAVKAR MANTRA ARADHANA
How to invoke power of Navkar Mantra:
He who harbours Navkar in his heart is never afflicted in this mwndane world. After devotedly reciting Navkar nine lacs times, one does not experience tortures of hell. Navkar is the essence of religion as prescribed in fourteen Purvas.
Importance of obiesance (Vandan) to Lord and Guru (Preceptor) is in every religion :
(a) Buddhism :
The followers of Buddhism do obeisance to Dharma (Law) and the Sang (Order) and believe that this help them in the cultivation of good qualities (Buddha Charya).
(b) The Vedas :
The followers of the Vedas bow down to their Deites, preceptors, Kulacharyas, the learned who are steadfast in practicing religion and those who prectise penence. They believe that by doing so, span of life, knowledge, fame and strength increase.
(c) Jainism :
The Jains bow down to the Panch Parmesthis (i.e.Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhu) with devotion and believe that a bow to these five most worthies annihilate all sins.
Thus we find that every religion enjoins on us to bow down, do obeisance to God or Deities and the precehtor. It is, indeed, a good advice. It certainly leads to uplift, development and the Spiritual progress of the soul. To do obeisance and worship God and Guru is recommended in 'Yog-Bindu' as a kind of 'Purva Seva', a preparatory stage for worshipper, to initiate the process of spiritual development.
In Uttaradhyana Sutra narration runs as under :
'Gautam Swami asks respectfully, 'Oh Lord! What is the fruit of vandan-obeisance ?'
Lord Mahavir replies, 'Oh Gauttam, fruits of obeisance are birth in a noble family, prosperity and fame.'
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