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worldly language. It was to be kept in the original Ardha Magadi language.
But what did people do? They left the pratikraman in the Ardha Maagdi language and they teased the words of the Navkar mantra. In pratikraman there is a ritual of activity (kraman), but this is a mantra! If a person does not understand the true manner of doing pratikraman, then he will continue to curse and do pratikramans.
People have no understanding and yet they recite the mantra with their own stubborn conviction and notion. Even if a mad man recited this mantra, it would still benefit him; however it is better to say it with understanding.
This Navkar mantra dates back from the time of the Lord and it is the true mantra, but only if one understands it! People recite it without understanding the meaning and that is why it does not give the benefits it should. Still this will not let anyone regress. It can only be called Navkar mantra if its removes worries. How can one blame the Navkar mantra if the one reciting it is at fault?
Do we not have the saying, 'What can the poor rosary do, when the person turning the beads is unworthy?'
Of all the people who recite the mantra, how many recite it with focused awareness (upyoga)? How many do their rosary with attention? Their focus is on the beads instead: 'This one is going and the next one is coming, this one...' Things continue in this manner! What is more, they make little bags for their rosary that covers their hand, so they can turn the beads over faster!
The lord has said that you will only reap benefits from your rituals (kriyas), whether it is the rosary or the Navkar mantra, if you do it with awareness. Otherwise it will be like bringing home a fake diamond instead of the real one! Those
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who do it mechanically, get a glass stone! Checks to see how many of these people have awareness.
Bhaav Puja: Dravya Puja
The sadhus and acharyas of the Jain faith ask me why they should say the other mantras along with the Navkar mantra. They ask me what is wrong with saying just the Navkar mantra alone. I tell them that the Jains cannot say the Navkar mantra alone. Who can say the Navkar mantra alone? Only the ascetics who have no children, who have renounced their worldly possessions and who are removed from the worldly life can say the Navkar mantra alone.
People say the mantra for two purposes. They are bhaav and dravaya pujas. Bhaav puja, the devotion of inner intent only, is for spiritual progress. Dravya puja, is the devotion and offerings in the relative realm for obstacles in the worldly interactions. Those people who do bhaav puja say it to progress further spiritually, while others say it to reduce the obstacles in their worldly life. Those who have difficulties in life need the blessings of all celestial beings. Therefore they need to recite all the mantras in the Trimantra. Those who have no worldly desires and are exclusively seeking spiritual progress may recite only the Navkar mantra.
An idol of the Lord outside is dravya God. The idol of Lord Mahavir is dravya Mahavir; and the idol of the Lord within is bhaav Mahavir. I too bow down to that Lord.
Trimantra Wins The Mind
As long as the mind is there, the mantras are needed. The mind will be there until the very end. As long as this body is there, this mind will be there. Mantra means to contain, appease and transcend the mind. Reciting the Trimantra is an excellent way to calm and please the mind.
