Essence of Jainism Part 01

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

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For this purpose we should remind ourselves while reciting navkars that goal of the day is to spend it for acquiring Right knowledge, Right faith and Right conduct which alone constitute Right living.
Why Seven Times Navkar At Night : Who knows when death will claim us. It may catch us unaware in sleep. We, therefore renounce all that bind us to worldy existence-Sansar. For Sansar, three means food, worldy possessions that gives rise to worry and our body, are responsible. Attachment to these creates the bond of karmas and consequent wandering of soul in Sansar. The sense of attachment if not foresaken lingers on in sleep. Hence, its renouncement is required before sleep.
There are seven types of Fears viz : (1) Fear of this world. (2) Fear of the next world. (3) Fear of Death. (4) Fear of losing life's maintenance. (5) Fear of thieves. (6) Fear of fire or arson. (7) Fear of kings etc. (Fear of Government).
We count Navkars seven times in order to get rid of these seven fears or threats. We want to be as good as God Himself by remembering, by reciting and mentally seeing and sensing presence of this scared mantra. With its help we realise purity of mind and words, life and food, and also of means of livelihood. This will lead to the purity of heart. This will make a qualitative change and bring a fragance to our life.
Exposition of the Meaning of Navkar Mantra : What is Panch Parmeshti ? Who are they? He, who dwells in the highest supernatural state is a Parmeshthi.
Godhood is represented in the form of Arihant and Siddhas. Then we have a trinity of Gurus preceptors in the form of Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhus (monks). These five are panch Parmeshthis. There are 108 attributes of the panch parmeshthis in all 12, 8, 36, 25 and 27 respectively for each pad of Parmeshthis.
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