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320
The Unknown Pilgrims
This is a eulogy of kevala-jñāna, of that state of pure knowledge which the tirthankaras reached thanks to their outstanding courage, which made of them vitaragas, those who have renounced all attachments, jinendras, those who have mastered their senses and jinas, victorious ones. Bhāva-stava is the most perfect form of praise. 16
This praise of the tirthankaras repeated several times a day is like a purificatory and strengthening bath. The repetition of these Names together with spiritual concentration upon their virtues gives spontaneous rise to a desire to follow their teaching and their example. The devotee feels imbued with the courage which inspired them and reinforced in a pure faith, with an unshakeable conviction that through the imitation of their virtues he or she is following the right path which leads to Liberation.17
C- Vandana: Salutation to the religious superiors
Having sung the praises of the tirthankaras one addresses with profound respect those men and women on this earth who are pledged to follow them, in the first place those who bear authority in the samgha: one's Acārya, Upadhyaya, Pravartini, Guruņi and each Sadhvi in order of seniority, according to her date of dikṣä.
Vandana means: respectful salutation, sign of reverence, humility, obedience. This salutation is also called dvādaśāvarta-vandana or the vandana of the twelve ävartas; avarta refers to a circular movement from right to left with palms joined in front of the face, a gesture which expresses veneration.18 In a group of sadhvis, vandana during
16 Cf. ADH VIII, 37-45, where mention is made of all these aspects.
17 In the daily rite caturviṁśatistava is closely linked to käyotsarga; cf. P
710 ff.
18
Nowadays in practice the rite is simplified and the sadhvis do not perform the 12 avartas.
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