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Trimantra
Trimantra
The Value of Presence
Questioner: Do people think that Simandhar Swami is in some foreign place?
Dadashri: It is of no great significance where the present tirthankar is; wherever he may be. If you talk about location, then previously they were in the state of Bihar, but of what use was it to the people living in the Charotar Region of Gujarat? In those days there were no means of transportation, so of what use was this to them? Nevertheless, the tirthankaras can be worshipped through their names, wherever they may be, as long as we have the knowledge that they are presently living. In the same way, the distance here between Simandhar Swami and us is very great, but is he not living? He is present at this very moment and so he is considered a current tirthankar.
It does not matter if you have not seen the arihant. For example you did not get to see the arihant in Mahavir's time. You did not see Lord Mahavir. Mahavir Bhagwan was somewhere else and you were here, he would still be an arihant. So if you recognize a real arihant as arihant, it will be to your great advantage. Otherwise all your effort will be in vain. For this very reason, the Navkar mantra that you recite will not give any results.
Who Can be Called a Tirthankar? Tirthankaras are the ones who have absolute knowledge (Keval Gnan). There are other kevalis, who too have absolute knowledge. But for one to be a tirthankar, one has to have the tirthankar-name-karma come into fruition. The tirthankaras purify the very ground they walk on and these places become places of worship. No one else in the whole world has merit karma of such quality. No one else has such exquisite atoms (parmanus) of mind, body and speech. A tirthankar's speech is syaadvaad (speech that hurts no living being and is acceptable to all) and
inspires absolute bliss in all around.
The state of the arihant is a very elevated state indeed. No one in the universe has such atoms. The highest quality of atoms comes to be situated only in the body of a tirthankar. What a body! What speech! What a manifest form! Everything about such a living being is absolutely unique and exquisite. There is no comparison, so do not compare Him to anyone! No one can be placed on the same level as a tirthankar! That is how great the manifest form of a tirthankar Lord is! All the twenty-four tirthankaras that existed were incomparable!
The Body Is The Only Difference Questioner: Is the form of the arihant Lord the state before moksha?
Dadashri: Yes, the arihant is the state before moksha. The level of His knowledge is the same as that of the siddha, but there is some bondage left for him. An analogy would be of two men who are sentenced for sixty years in prison. One is sentenced on the 1st of January, and the other on the 3rd of January. The first man has been released since his term has been completed. The other man will be released after two days but essentially can he not be regarded as a free man? Such are their levels.
Namo Siddhanam Who are the other Gods? Questioner: "Namo Siddhanam'.
Dadashri: Those who have become siddha from here, those who no longer have a physical body and will not be acquiring another body again. They are the ones who are eternally in the state of the siddhas. I bow to such siddha Lords.
Having conquered their inner enemies: anger, pride, deceit,
