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But if the Namokāra meditation is done only for mundane benefits its divine spiritual benefits may be lost. As such it should always be aimed at great spiritual goals; the ordinary worldly goals will be achieved automatically.
With the view to make the coverage wide and complete, the illustrations about the Ņamokāra Mantra also include those about colour meditation, syllable meditation, method of chanting, selfprotection shield etc. These will prove to be of great help for the meditators and chanters. We have tried to use the medium of story-illustration to highlight the use and benefits of the Namokara, not just to entertain.
At the end there are five appendices where those topics have been elaborated which are given in brief in the illustrated section due to space limitations. The inclusion of 2 real life incidents of the miracle of Namokara and the Mantras for pacification of the Planets in the appendices has enhanced the grip and the usefulness of the book. In the end we have given the famous Sarvatobhadra anupūrvi (the numerical combinations of chanting).
We had published the Illustrated Bhaktămara Stotra about a year back. That too was a new experiment in its style of presentation. It was succesful beyond any expectations. Encouraged by this we determined to present to our readers this more useful work with an alround improvement in production techniques.
The credit for inspiring, guiding and encouraging the publication of this work mainly goes to the senior saint of the Sramana Sangha, Upådhyāya Sri Kewal Muniji. While Bhaktāmara was in the process of publication he had wished that another such useful publication should also be taken up.
Revered Upadhyāyasri is a great thinker. He is well versed in radical visualisation and conceptualisation. He is an endowed person and he recognises and appreciates ability. He has created volumes of works, in new and popular style, aimed at strengthening Jain values in the new generation. It is a very important contribution to Jain literature. Thanks to the concept and inspiration of Upādhyāyaśrī that I have been able to give shape to this publication.
The feeling of encouragement imparted by my devoted wife S. Līlā Surānā has also been helpful in timely completion of this project. The contribution and co-operation of the artist Sri Puruşottam Singh and the printer Sri Brij Mohan Sivahare is also worth mentioning.
My thanks to Sri Surendra Bothara for this English translation and his effort to bring it as close to the original as possible. I feel duty bound to thank the authors and publishers of all the books from where I have drawn valuable assistance in planning this ILLUSTRATED NAMOKĀRA MAHĀMANTRA.
Shrichand Surana 'Saras'
Diwakar Prakashan, Lila Niketan, AGRA
IV
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