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is why Mudras contribute to the welfare of mankind. The Mudra presented here is known as Pravacha na Mudra. There are many variations about this Mudra among the Jains and others. These Mudras are shown in many ways in books but the most famous Mudras which are generally used are about 20 to 30.1 Pravachana means a lecture and Mudra Means a form created by a particular state of the hand and the fingers. Tirthankars and preceptors have to assume this Mudra which is now no more current but preserved only in the sculpture of icons. This Mudra is about 4 to 5 types. Here only one type is shown. In Mantra practice certain Mantras are counted while making a particular prescribed Mudra. The Jain preceptors particularly use certain Mudras during recitation of Mantras such as Suri Mantras. The Mantra recitation gives the desired result only when the prescribed Mudra is adopted. Mantra recitation is practised in sitting or standing position. Mudra is a part of Mantra practice or Mantra recitation. The aspirants follow the instructions of the scriptures for Mudra together with Mantra practice and thus reach perfection in Mudra practice after months and years. When they are perfected, they yield the desired power
for doing some good or evil. The Mudras are not ordinary. 74. Garuda This Mudra is adopted during the rites of Jain Anjan Shalaka or while giving 18 holy baths (abhisheka) to the icon. mudra: The Mantra to relieve the poison of a serpent is perfected by Garuda Mudra. When the serpenbite is to be cured,
the Mantra Mudra is used. Ancient books have described various Mudras for various practices and their miraculous achievements. (For more
details, see the explanation for symbol number 73). 75. The five The Earth, water, fire, air and sky are the five fundamental elements also known as Pancha-Maha-Bhuta. All these
fundamental five elements are present everywhere in the whole universe. They are the root of the cosmic dynamics. There elements: would be no universe without them.
These elements play a great role beyond worlds and so it can be easily understood how much they oblige us and how infinite is their greatness. These elements are also in our bodies. They are, as a matter of fact in all beings. The bodies of all beings in the world are composed of them. If these elements are equipoised in the universe or in the body it would remain well-managed but when such harmony is lost, the earth and mankind meet great catastrophies like earthquakes, cyclones etc. So the government of different countries, scientists and even the whole of mankind shouldn't play mischiefs with them unnecessarily but care should be taken to maintain their equipoise and security so that people would be saved from such calamities on earth. If these elements are carefully kept in a balanced state in the body a person could maintain his physical and mental health and can achieve spiritual well-being. All the five elements are shown with their names in the symbol. Indian scholars have fixed certain forms for the identification of these elements. So the earth is shown as square, water as a semi-lunar-digit, fire as a triangle, air as a hexagon and the sky as circular. There is some purpose behind these
forms. 76. Aum: Aum is a Mantra Beeja.On this page symbols of three types of Aum are given. The Aum in this number is used by the
Jains. The two other Aumkaras shown in symbols number 77-78 are mostly used by the Vedic Hindus and others, but on the whole most of the people in the world are familiar with the symbols of Aumkaras. Now the west is also attracted to Aumkara. The figure of Aumkara in Jain religion is different because of a different script. Jain manuscripts and books written in Nagari script show Aumkara as shown in the symbol and so it is drawn by us in the same way. Then to bring spiritual power in it, it has to be turned into a Mantra-Beeja. So the half-moon sign is placed over it with the dot called Bindu and then the sign of Nada is placed over the Bindu thus in order to transform it into a Mantra Beeja. Then that Mantra-Beeja is used for recitation of Mantra etc. Here it should be clearly borne in mind that the Aumkara without this triangular Nada is carved,written or embossed in Yantras etc., and it is recited that way. In reality Aumkara with only the dot is used more in pronouncing, writing and reciting but even there both the types are recognised. In Rishi-Mandal Yantra the Hrimkara at the centre should be understood with Nada and in SiddhaChakra-Brihad-Yantra the Arham at the centre should be understood with Nada. Thousands of people in India recite Aum daily. Its effect is amazing. It is the most favourite Mantra of the saints, ascetics, great sages etc. If this practice is carried on as per the instructions from the preceptor, systematically and over a long period the aspirant experiences self realization and by awaking Kundalini this Mantra leads to supreme absolute state and supreme bliss. And as endorsed by the experience of many this Mantra can bestow spiritual and material achievements. It is really a significant fact that Mantra experts of Jainism disallow the recitation of a Mantra by following Aum, for attaining liberation This Aum Beeja has been given various names by other Mantra experts. Independent Upanishads are written on
Aumkara by the non-Jain Scholars. Some books are also written on the powers of Aumkara 77-78. Aum- The symbols of these two Aumkaras are given to show the diversity in writing and drawing them (For details see
Aum: explanation for symbol number 76). 79. The The symbol shows the Nandyavarta, the auspicious Swastika which is exclusive to Jainism (and which is drawn with
five Swastikas).
Note: 11. Information regarding Mudras is given in Nirvan kalika and other books.
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