69653716.

doc

9/28/2011

General Jainism Level - 1 Class 1 Namokar Mantra

In this prayer we pay homage (respect) to the Arihantas, Siddhas, chryas, Updhyys, Sdhus, for their achievements and qualities with the desire to achieve same qualities in us. They are collectively known as Panch Parmeshti (five greatest guides). NAMO ARIHANTNAM I bow down to Arihants NAMO SIDDHNAM I bow down to Siddhas NAMO YARIYNAM I bow down to Acharyas NAMO UVAJJHYNAM I bow down to Upadhyayas NAMO LOE SAVVASHUNAM I bow down to all Jain Sadhus In general, we recite Namokar Mantra during good times or bad times, all times like in morning, afternoon, evening and night. Today, we will understand Namokar Mantra from three different Mani aspects. I What is the meaning of Namokar Mantra? II Why Namokar Mantra is important? III What benefit I get by studying Namokar Mantra? I What is the meaning of Namokar Mantra? (1) In general; we just say it. We say it because our parents and grand parents ask us to do it. Our friends are saying so we say it. Actually, while saying Namo; we say with UN and not with N. We bow down to all parmesthi who are residing within the Lokakash. Q. What is the meaning of Parmesthi A. Param + esthi = Param = Top most position (Sarvotam Utkrushta position) Esthi = To achieve the top most position, to increase our knowledge. So main AIM is to achieve the Real Happiness. Panch parmaesthi = Arihant, Siddha, Upadhyay, Acharay, Sadhu (Muni) General Jainism Class I Level 1 Page 1 of 5

69653716.doc

9/28/2011

Q. What is Happiness? A. All of us have cars, big house, many friends, etc. Are these happiness? No, we are UNHAPPY because we wish to have from one to another items. For an example, we will eat one ice-cream. We are happy, so we will eat another rice cream. Like his we will eat 10 times ice-cream. As we are eating more ice cream than our happiness is deceasing. Than we will not eat at all and than we will eat something or will go for a walk. This shows that we are not happy. If we were happy than we will not fetch items like this. Real Happiness means that once achieved than we stay happy and do not get sad. The ultimate happiness means what Panch Parmeshti have achieved. Our goad should be to achieve real happiness. GOAL means wishes to achieve param pud or param such (ultimate happiness). (2) They all have achieved ultimate happiness and they have shown us the path of how to achieve the happiness. In short, how to become happy? Q. Is panch Parmesthi position or person? A. These are not the names of the panch persons. These are five panch positions. For an example, How to become doctor? There are millions of doctors in the world. So one doctor gives his title to another person. Toral and Sejal your father is doctor, so he can give you doctor position. Q. Can we call you Dr. Sejal or Dr. Toral? A. NO! Actually, Sejal and Toral; if you want to become Doctor than you have to study what Siddharthbhai has studied. Attend medical colleges, take tests, complete residency. . In the same way, Arihant Bhagwan is showing us kramic (sequential) way of following the Mokshamarga (salvation path). They have followed with purusarth (real efforts) and have achieved Arihant position. Q. Why to study this? A. There are three different types of persons / souls who study this mantra. (I) 1sr Category (SAY) - Just say that we are Jain; so we will recite this mantra and it is good for us. Also they say this mantra because they are being told to say. They have faith within mantra. (2) 2nd Category (SAY + Knowledge) They say mantra with knowledge (who have been studying Shashtra) who knows about Arihant and panch parmesthi through shastras, poojan, discussion, etc. (3) 3rd Category (SAY + Knowledge + really want to achieve this position) They want to be real happy, achieve ultimate goal like Siddha Bhagwan. They do not wish to roam around within 84 lakhs yoni, puts real efforts for not to be born within four gati. Now we have to decide that what category are we in? Which category we want to be in? Out of these three attitudes which one is right attitude for me?

General Jainism

Class I

Level 1

Page 2 of 5

69653716.doc Q. What is the definition of Panch Parmesthi (Five God) Chart I Panch Parmesthi (Five God) ______________________________________ DEV ___________________ Arihant Bhagwan (Muni) Siddha Bhagwan

9/28/2011

GURU ______________________________ Upadhyay Acharaya Sadhu

Chart 2 Panch Parmesthi (Five God) ______________________________________________ DEV GURU ________________________________ Siddha Bhagwan (Muni) Arihant Bhagwan Upadhyay Acharaya Sadhu

Dev = Veetragi + Sarvagya + Hitopadeshi Guru = Person who is without 24 prigrah. (attachments) Who is following the path of Mokshamarg (salvation path) Veetragi = veet + Ragi Veet = Gone away, passed by, no feelings left Raag = attachment / feelings, affection etc. Likes A person whose feelings or likes and dislikes have gone away. When we say raag (likes) that time dwesh (dislikes) is by default is gone away. Sarvagya = the soul knows about all substances with all its attributes with all its manifestations of all three times simultaneously. In short, TO KNOW ALL WITHIN THIS LOKAKASH. Hitopadeshi = The person who preaches us for our benefits. He is explaining about our Atmanu Swaroop) Guru is without 24 parigrahi So dev has all three characteristics. Q Why we say Arihant Bhagwan first and than Siddha Bhagwan? A. Arihant Bhagwan has destroyed only 4 ghati karma and Siddha Bhagwan has destroyed General Jainism Class I Level 1 Page 3 of 5

69653716.doc

9/28/2011

all 8 karma. What is bigger number 8 or 4. So a person who has destroyed the most number we should say about him first? II Why it is IMPORTANCE (Mahima)? Q. Why do we recite mantra 108 times when we rotate rosary? A. For an Example, Rhushbh wants to become President of USA. However, at current time Obama is the President. So do we think that Obama will give his President title to Rhushbh? The answer is No! As per Jain Sidhhant principles; One substance cannot do anything for another substance. Our Arihant and Siddha Bhagwan are not giving us the ultimate happiness, Rhushbh has to work hard and follow the same path that Obama has completed to become the President. Even Rhushbh will attend the same college where Obama has studied., will hang Obamas picture in his house. In the same way we have to follow what panch parmesthi have accomplished. They all are our role model. They are showing us the road map which has helped them to achieve the ultimate happiness. By this way, we will understand Suddhat\ma nu swaroop. Also we will gain confidence. Q. What are other names? A. These are other names. Maha Manra, Mool Mantra, Anadi Nidhan Mantra, Namskar Mantra, (1) Namskar Mantra means we are bowing down to all panch parmesthi who are living in Lokakaksh. (2) Anadi Nidhan means An + Adi = There is no beginning and ending time for this Mantra. Nidhan means Actually, the first disciple; Acharya PushpaDutta composed this Maha mantra under leadership of Acharya Dharsen Swami. Acharya Pushpadutta composed in Prakrut Language. This has been published under SHATKHAND Agam Shashtra as Mangalacharan. So than from the wording point of view; it has been created at certain fixed time. However, from the expression point of view, it is being saluting to panch parmesthis who have been there from the beginingless time and these panch parmesthi will always stay. Hence, these panch parmesthi do not have beginning and end time. Devotees of these panch parmesthi are like us, and they were there from the beginingless time and always will stay for endless time. These panch parmesthi are explaining us the Suddhatma swaroop ( I am SOUL) by following the path of Mokshamarg (the salvation path). (3) Maha Mantra means that it is about 5 positions. Panch parrmesthi have achieved the Suddhatma swaroop. Like them we can achieve salvation too. Entire mantra has 35 words. Also, it has 57 matra (vowels). In this mantra there is no meaning of asking any gifts from panch parmesthi. This mantra is desire less, and wish less. In case, devotees like us who recite this mantra and while reciting this Mantra if we ask something than it is not maha mantra. For an example, while reciting this Mantra; if we ask that please give me good grades, or give me expensive car etc; than we have insulted this mantra. General Jainism Class I Level 1 Page 4 of 5

69653716.doc

9/28/2011

(4) Mool Mantra means while reciting this mantra we are bowing down to current panch parmesthi. It means that we are supporting panch parmesthi within lokaksh. This mantra is like root of the tree (mool means root). The tree bear colorful flowers, delicious fruits. But if roots are destroyed than the whole tree is destroyed. It Is not necessary that all the time we have to say panch parmesthi. Even if we say as Namo Sri Vardhamanayam this means we are bowing down to Panch parmesthi. Within all pargamam, we bow down to panch parmesthi. After hearing Arihant Bhagwans Aumkar Dwani Gandhar Bhgawan composes mantra about I am Soul. I am soul means Suddhatma, Bhagwan Atma etc. etc. AUM = A+A+Aa+U+M A = Arihant Bhagwan A = Ashariri (Without body ) means Siddha Bhagwan Aa = Acharya U = Upadhyay M = Muniraj (Sadhu) AUM = Panch Parmesthi III Benefits of Understanding and Reciting Mantra

General Jainism

Class I

Level 1

Page 5 of 5