Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 30

1 3
3 1
2 2
4 4
5 5
5
3
2
1
4
5
Dad: Son you might have seen a booklet containing such tabulations.
Son: Yes, dad.
Dad: The numerical figures therein are given at random; can you make out the reasons thereof?
Son: No, Dad; please give me the reasons.
Dad: Son, the mind is very fickle and it is hard to concentrate it. So long as it is not concentrated, the internal impurity cannot be removed and sinful thinking does not go down. The Lords have stipulated twelve modes of reflections and other significant means for achieving concentration. In order to rise on the ascetic level with concentration of mind and with a view to purifying it, the saintly beings have devised these tabulations. The figures 1 to 5 in the first row represent the five lines of Panch Parmeshti Mantra. In the succeeding rows those five figures have been given without order in a crisscross way. The purpose is to concentrate the mind in chanting those lines so that one can achieve Nirjarä (Eradication of Karma).
Son: Would that not be possible by chanting the lines regularly?
Dad: For crisscross chanting one has to remain aware of what he wants to utter. If the figure 2 occurs after 5, one has to remember that after reciting Namo Loe Savvasähoonam he has to recite Namo Sidhhänam. By repeatedly keeping in mind what is to be uttered, the mind gets concentrated. That does not happen in the case of orderly chanting. It becomes mechanical, because one has not to think over. During that chanting the mind moves away from the concept of Panch Parmeshti and starts thinking about the worldly aspects; thus it goes astray. The saintly beings have therefore devised this crisscross chanting called Anänupoorvi. That is very good and it can provide quietude.
Lesson 37: Sämäyik, Part 1
There is a disciplinary restraint called Samäyik, which can help in manifesting the capabilities of soul, can give rise to right knowledge and right perception, can lead to unique Nirjärä (eradication of Karma) and can cultivate an objective attitude towards attachment and resentment. The term Sämäyik is made up of Sam+Ay+Ik. Sam denotes a state free from attachment and resentment; Ay denotes gaining the path of liberation, and Ik denotes the mode. In other words, what leads to the path of liberation is Sämäyik. A discerned one observes it while averting the worrisome and hurtful state of mind and giving up the sinful physical, verbal and mental modes.
Mind is very fickle. While one is required to stay in pure state during Sämäyik, the mind continues to move here and there. Moreover one also happens to incur faults or indulge in physical, verbal and mental lapses. That happens on account of mistakes, loss of attention, excitement etc. There are 32 such lapses, viz. 10 pertaining to mind, 10 to speech and 12 to body. Since it is necessary to remain aware of such pitfalls, I am describing the same.
Those relating to mind
1 Absence of discernment: If one does not know the true concept of Sämáyik, he may doubt about its benefits and its role in crossing over the worldly sea. That is called Avivekdosh, the absence of discernment.