________________
Mantra - the Pathway to Liberation of the Soul By: Swastishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Panditacharyavarya Mahaswamiji
Mantra-shastra is one of the most ancient sciences. There are references to it in Jain Dwadashanga and Sutras, and also in Vidyanuvada Poorva. According to Adi Purana, Bhagavan Adinatha Theerthankara taught Brahmi alphabet to his daughter Brahmi and numerology to another daughter, Sundari. Mantravidya is also known as Brahmavidya and Yogavidya. It is the most efficacious technique. It is said mananaath thrayeti mantrah-mantra is that which protects us or helps us cross over the bondage of life (thrayeti) by constant cogitation (mananaath). By constantly uttering the mantra revealed by the Lord, one can be freed from the bond of life. Mantra is timeless, exceptional and liberating. The Pancha Namokara Mantra of the Jains is the unfailing mantra. It is famous as the eternal and everlasting mantra. Those who have realized the efficacy of the mantra get all the worldly gifts as well as salvation of the soul in the other world.
Mantra-shastra should be used only for candid dealings and for the enhancement of good and divine qualities; it is not done to misuse it. In our sacred texts there are references to the beacons of mantra-shastra, the Ganadhara Parameshthis and Riddhidhari Sadhus. Swamy Bhadrabahu, Samantabhadra Acharya, Acharya Poojyapada, Acharya Mallishena, Acharya Akalanka, Adyashri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pandithacharyavarya, Acharya Maanatunga,
2015
JAINA Convention
162
Gunanadi and many other Acharyas not only averted afflictions and hardships by means of accomplishment of mantra, but also prevented natural disasters like floods, droughts, earthquakes, thunders, hurricanes and tornados. Examples of those who realized the efficiency of mantra having put aside their power and tapas solely for the good of the world have been recorded in the pages of history, which stand testimony to the effectiveness of mantra. Mantras like Vishapahara Stotra are used to cure the poison inflicted by scorpions, snakes and other poisonous creatures. The power of the spoken word is effectively used in the medical field to cure many ailments of patients and it puts a question mark before the modern medical science. This is no superstition. With the power of sound and mantra, effective natural treatment had been given to patients with no eye on returns.
Experiments have shown that the power of mantra and sound can be used not only for the promotion of health, but also to increase yield from fruit-bearing plants and trees. Mantra is essential not only for health and happiness in worldly life but also to obtain spiritual bliss.
There are differences among mantras. They can be classified as superior, medium and lowly. Mantras can yield results only if they are learned from competent gurus and employed properly.
Now let us look the nature of mantras: The attributes of the accomplishment of mantras:
In the first instance, the difference of mantras and the description of seeds (beejas).
1. The property of the mantra: syoo mantrate guptam bhashyante mantravidbhiriti mantrah-: Meaning: What is imparted secretively by one who knows the heart of the mantra is mantra. The import of mantra corresponds to the etymology of the words employed.
2. The source of the mantra: akaaraadi hakaaraanta varnamantrah prakeertitah: Meaning: Syllables from A to HA are mantras.
There is no such thing as defeat in nowolance-Cesar Chunez
Jainism World of Non-Violence
3. The difference of Syllables:[Varna means either color or origin].
Swaroshmano dwijah shwetah, ambumandalasamsthitah kanthasya bhoorbhujo raktha-swedajo mandalasamsthitah choopuvaishyaanvayou preetou prthveemandalabhaginou
Syllable
Swara Ka-varga
Cha-varga
Ta-varga
Tha-varga
Pa-varga
Ya-varga
Sha-varga
Varna(Caste) Brahmin
Kshatriya
Vaishya
Shoodra
Shoodra
Vaishya
Kshatriya
Brahmin
Color White
Red
Yellow
Black
Black
Yellow
Red White
Station
Water
Fire
Earth
Air Air Earth
Fire
Water
Masculine syllables: a, u, oo, ai, o, am, ee-these seven vowels and the consonants ka, kha, ga, Ta Tha, da, dha, tha, tha, pa, fa, ba, ja, bha, ma, sha, sa and ksha are masculine.
Neuter syllables: i, R, R, L, L, e, ah, dha, bha, ya, ra, ha, da, tra, Na, and Da-these seven vowels and nine consonants are said to be neuter gender.
There are three kinds of mantras:
1. Beeja mantra (core mantra)
2. Mantra
3. Maala mantra ("string mantras").
Feminine syllables: The consonants sha, cha, bha, la and va are feminine genders, and so are the vowels ee and aa.
Note: It is to be noted that the syllable 'na' is absent in the above lists. If the Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra varnas are separate and independent of each other, this syllable can be considered 'friendly' to all the groups.
Mantras in a group do not yield desired effect equally. But if the composition of syllables is kept at the same frequency, they yield results equally, according to the Lord Omniscient. Mantras in accordance with the number of syllables in them:
A mantra comprising one to nine syllables is called beeja mantra. A mantra containing ten to twenty syllables is called mantra. Similarly a mantra having more than twenty syllables is a maalaa mantra. Beeja mantras yield result always. Mantras in the mantra group yield result in their "youth". Mala mantras yield result in their "ripe old age".
Anger is the enemy of nonviolence and pride is a monster that allows it up
163
