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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XXXVII, NO. 2 OCT, 2002 The pancanamaskāra mantra has been revered by all the Jains - by both Digambaras and Svetainbaras. In all the modes of worship this inantra holds the first place. For the srävakas and sages (munis) this is the bijamantra (seed spell)
The 'Mūlārādhanā' scripture which prescribes code of conduct to the munis, regarding the pancanarnaskāra states :
"The namaskara mantra is the main mantra of ārādhanā. Worship and prayer should accompany ņamokāra mantra."
It destroys the worldly desires. Therefore have a purc mind and concentrate on worship by the pancanamaskāra mantra."
Namaskāra' or . Vandana' is of three kinds as per the needs of the inind, words and action. The word Namaskāra' exemplifies praising the greatness of Arahanta and other paramosthis in the mind, singing in praise of their greatness and showing reverence to them by the action of the body.
'manasā guņapariņāmo vācā guņamasaņam capancāhnam kayöna sampanamo ēva payatthö namökkāro
- Mūlārādhanā - 753) Five kinds of kāya vandanā have been incntioned : * Ekānga vandanā - only by bowing the head * Dvyanga vandanā - by bringing together both the hands
* Trayānga vandanā - by bowing the head and bringing both the hands together.
* Caturanga vandanā - by resting both the knees on the floor and bringing both the hands together.
* Pancānga vandanā - namaskara by using both the knees, both the hands and bowing the head (Anagara Dharmämrta - Jainendra Kosa - part 10)
Besides these five types of namaskāra, there is reference to astānga namaskāra and gosayana / gavāsana namaskāra.
"hastau pādau sirasoraḥ kapõla yugalam tathä aşțängāni namaskārē pròktāni sri Jināgāme"
both the hands, both the legs, head, chest and both the checks--when these eight are inade to touch the earth, it is called 'astänga namaskāra'.
Gösayana namaskāra is prescribed especially for munis and women. Gösayana or gavāsana namaskära means, like the cow while it lies down, left leg below and right leg above, by bending the legs in that inanner
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