Samayik And Chaityavandan Vidhi

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 11

Upadhyayas have the mastery over all the scriptures. Since there are 11 original Ägams and 12 auxiliary ones, the knowledge thereof is treated as 23 attributes. Adding thereto the teaching and observance of spiritual code, the total works out to 25. Upädhyayas are said to have these 25 attributes. If, however, knowledge of each Agam can constitute a separate attribute, the better way would be to add the names of Uttarädhyayn Sutra and Dashvaikälik Sutra to the above mentioned 23 Ägams and make them 25. It is amazing that no one thinks of those vital Sutras, while mentioning the attributes of Upadhyay.
But treating the knowledge of every scripture as a separate attribute is not correct. The attributes of Upadhyay need therefore to be considered differently. They can better be laid down as observance of the five major restraints, five meticulosities and three Gupties; restraining of the four defilements; observance of spiritual code; capability of giving sermons; interpreting the texts and composing the new ones; teaching the same to the deserving people; propagating the right view point; and promoting the observance of austerities and restraints.
The Sädhus are supposed to have 27 attributes, which are laid down differently at different places. In general they can be described as under. They endeavor to observe five major restraints, to control five sense organs, to observe five types of spiritual code, to overcome four types of defilements and to observe five meticulosities and three Gupties.
The obeisance to those entities is worthwhile, only if these attributes are kept in view and efforts are made to follow them to the extent possible. It would be seen that the attributes of all the five entities together amount to 108. The 108 beads of Navkärväli, are symbolic of those 108 attributes, which need to be kept in mind, while turning it.
Another significance of 108 beads can be laid down from the point of view of perception. The rise of right perception is mainly obstructed by three instincts which the Jain tradition terms as Shalya. They are laid down as Mäyä Shalya meaning absence of the uprightness, Mithyatva Shalya meaning wrong perception and Nidän Shalya meaning bargaining of the wholesome activities for the sake of pecuniary worldly aspects. Those Shalyas can be indulged in physically, verbally and mentally. That results in 9 categories. Again, one may indulge in Shalya himself or prompt others to indulge in or encourage such indulgence. That results into 27 divisions. That is indulged mainly on four counts, on account of anger, arrogance, deceit or greediness. Multiplying those 27 divisions by those four counts results in 108 types of indulging in Shalya. To refrain from all those counts is the right perception. That is to be kept in view while turning Navkärväli..
The five lines offering Namaskär to the five entities are usually recited by prefixing Aum. That Aum is not a part of Navakärmantra. It would therefore be helpful to understand the significance of Aum and to make out whether it is worth prefixing it to the five lines.
Aum itself is a Mantra. Our tradition considers it as an abbreviation of Navakärmantra. Since Siddhas are the liberated souls, they are bodiless. Since body is known as Sharir,