Illustrated Namokara Mahamantra

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

Page 31

The servants dragged the log out of the fire and split it carefully, A pair of long black snakes dropped out of the log. Almost half of their bodies were scorched by the fire, the poor creatures were writhing with agony on the sand
Seeing the half scorched and writhing snakes the ascetic was wonder-struck. The people around started praising the astounding divine knowledge, courage and compassion of the prince-thanks to you ! O compassionate prince ! Without you this pair of snakes would have turned to ashes in this fire.
The prince got down from the horse and came near the pair of serpents. He uttered in reassuring voice, "O king of serpents ! this is the last moment of your life. Bear the pain calmly. I am reciting the ņamokāra mantra. Listen peacefully and your life-to-come will improve.” And then the sweet sound of Namo Arihantānam, Ņamo Siddhānam .........filled the surroundings.
The pair of snakes heard the sweet voice of the prince. They felt as if the soothing Sandal-ointment had been applied on their blistered bodies. Peace flooded their souls. With the sound of namo arihantāņaṁ...... entering their ears, they passed away with purity of thoughts at the last moment.
Hearing the Panca Paramesthi mantra during the last moments of their life, their souls reincarnated as ruling gods of the Nāgakumăra clan (a class of gods associated with serpents). They were born as Dharanendra and his consort, Padmavati. When they recognised their benefactor, prince Pārśva, they greeted him humbly from their own abode. The sound of Ņamo Arihantānam........ namo siddhanam......resonated every cell of their body.