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MAHAVIR FOUNDATION
10th Anniversary Issue
November 1997
The meaning -
Namo Arihantanam I bow to (and revere) Arihantas
The first thing one does is the bowing down to Arihanta. The word Arihanta comes from the Sanskrit *Arhat' which means enlightened one. Jains and Buddhists have used this word and both have described their great teachers as arhatas. Jains, however say that arhatas are those who have destroyed all their deadly (Ghati) karmas and who have attained the highest form of knowledge (keval- gyana). Arhats are also known as kevalin (One with keval gyan) or Jina ( one who has conquered his inner enemies).
According to Ashta Pabhrit Those who have removed all sins and merits, are above birth, old age, diseases and death and are free from all karma-stains and have achieved the knowledge of soul are Arhatas
Arhats are those super being who have attained keval gyan and are free from evil karmas.
NM teaches one to bow down and whilst bowing down a Jain does not ask any favour from his God but remembers his virtues, hence it is important to find out why Arihanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhus - these five-are chosen for veneration. The answer probably lies in the first two padas or lines. Namo Arihantanam Namo Siddhanam Here one bows down to Arihanta and Siddha. These are not the names of any living beings nor are they names of any particular Gods. A Jain here pays his reverence to two titles or virtues. Arihanta or Arhata means enlightened soul, and has certain 12 attributes." Siddhas are liberated souls and have eight special attributes
Attributes of Arihanta
When Arihanta ( Tirthankara ) sits in the samvasaran and starts giving a sermon, eight special - divine things happen1. The Asoka tree is seen i.e. Tirthankara is seating under Asoka tree. 2. There is a triple canopy over His head (chhatra) 3. He is seating on a throne (sinhasana) 4. Devas are standing with the divine whisk (chamar) 5. Flowers are being showered all around (Pushpa Vrushti) 6. The bright, divine aura is seen (a halo ) 7. Drums are being played 8. The speech given by the Arhata is heard for more then nine miles
There are four more attributes 1. He has a pure character 2. He has infinite power, potency 3. He is omniscient 4. He possesses pure perception
Attributes of SiddhaThe Siddhahood can only be achieved after the total removal of ALL karmas. Because there are eight types of karmas, the attributes of siddha are eight too.
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