Illustrated Namokara Mahamantra

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

Page 28

नवपद आराधना
णमो सिदाणं
णमो
णमो तवस्स
lle
A
णमो अरिहंताण
णमो
लोस्सव साहूर्ण
ale Thala
Inliche Re
elo
AR
Thala
Mainasundarī took charge of all the seven hundred lepers besides attending to her husband and mother-in-law. An end had come to the misery of the lepers, as if they were blessed with the presence of a goddess among them.
One day a great monk, Ācārya Municandrasūri arrived at the garden outside the town. When Maināsundari knew of this, she also went with her husband to pay respect to the monk. When the Ācārya saw such a beautiful and elegant girl married to a leper he enquired. Maināsundarī narrated the whole story. Observing the patience, determination and self-confidence of Maināsundarī the Ācārya said :
“Child ! practice the nine step discipline of the Namokara mantra and all your ailments, sorrows and miseries will be removed. Indeed, this mantra is effective beyond any imagination. Its practice will bring you best of luck.”
Following the instructions of the Ācārya, Śrīpāla and Maināsundari commenced the practice of the nine steps of the Ņamokāra mahāmantra on the bright seventh day of the month of Caitra. This practice is accompanied by the Ayambila Tapa (a Jain penance where food prepared with one type of grain and that too without any salt, sugar or flavour is taken once a day) with deep devotion and unwavering faith.
The method of practice is as follows:
Drawing in heart or on a white sheet of cloth or visualizing the shape of an eight petal lotus install the nine lines and concentrate on them. - See the installation in the illustration.
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