Illustrated Namokara Mahamantra

Author(s): Shreechand Surana, Surendra Bothra
Publisher: Diwakar Prakashan

Page 11

संघ के मेढीभूत
धर्मनौका के नाविक
Flesley
ŅAMO ĀYARIYĀNAŃ 3. The Conception of Acārya :
Arihanta and Siddha are the gods of gods, ( a) i.e., God. The ācāryas are said to be the leader of dharma (religion).
(Read with reference to the illustration) The duty of the ācārya is to preach the religion of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct to the four-fold religio-social organisation comprising of sadhu (monk), sādhvi (nun), śrāvaka (layman ) and śrävikä (lay-woman). He is also supposed to ensure that he and his organisation follows the prescribed norms of good conduct, restraints, rules, and discipline.
Illustration : Like the peg in the barn around which the ox moves, the acārya is the axis around which the religious organisation moves. The ācārya is the captain and navigator of the ship of religious organisation.
The religious life of an ācārya is supposed to have the following thirty six qualities :
(1 - 5) Discipline of the five physical senses, (6 - 14) observation of celibacy with nine guptis (restraints), (15 – 18) routing of the four passions like anger, etc., (19 - 23) complete observation of the five great vows like ahiṁsā, etc. (24 - 28) pursuance of the five conducts like jñānācāra, (knowledge), etc. (29 – 33) observation of the five rules of vigilance like iryä samiti (vigilance of movement), (34 - 36) observation of three guptis (restraints) like manogupti or restraint of thought, etc.
Besides these, an ācārya has many more qualities like adaptability, impressive oration, hold over the Jain organisation, etc.
As we meditate over 'Ņamo āyariyānam' we get determination for good conduct and inner strength for following lofty ideals. Concentrating over this line gives rise to pious feelings, purifies attitudes, and disciplines intense passions. The colour attributed to this line is golden yellow.