Essence of Jainism Part 01

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

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2. Saidhantik : (Theoretical) Shri Panch Parmeshthis Mahamantra. This appellation is found in books describing the great improtance of Shri Navkar Mantra.
3.
Vyavharik (in practice) Shri Navkar Mahamantra. This name is given by Aradhaks out of love and respect for the paremshthis.
4. Ruddha (Traditional): Shri Navkar Mantra. People in general young or old use this appellation.
Navkar Padas, Sampadas And Letters:
There are nine padas and eitht Sampadas of Navkar Mantar. The first five padas contains 35 letters. The last four padas called the 'Chulika' have 33 letters. The whole Navkar Mantra consists of 68 letters.
Regular Recitation of Shri Navkar Mantra:
We should recite this Mantra daily both in the morning when waking up and at night, while going to bed. While waking up from bed in the morning, we must recite this Mantra 3, 9 or 12 times keeping our eyes closed. At night we should renounce food and drink and before sleep we should recite Navkar Mantra seven times. Navkar Mantra should be recited for every bead of Rosary of 108 beads and make it a regular practice if you can.
Just as a snake charmer depoisons the victim of a snake-bite by reciting a mantra, similarly, Navkar Mantra helps in removing from within us the poison of passions.
When a mangoose gets bitten by a servant during its fight with the latter, it smells the nolwel (herb) and gets itself depoisoned. In the same way, passions arising in us could be got rid of by us by reciting Navkar Mantra.
We open account books with the names of Shri Gautamswami and Shalibhadraji. Again business is transacted with a pure hearted fellow at the begining of the year. It is belived that this leads to a prosperous year.
While chanting Navkar Mantra we remember the most worthies. This helps us in becoming free from evils and troubels and hardships of life and we enjoy peace and equanimity of mind.
Why to Recite Navkars thrice in the Morning:
Real nature of self is to know and to see; but this nature is obscured by karmas. To remove these karmas Right way of living is necessary.
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