Song of The Soul

By Acbarja Susbil Kumarji M. S.

Historical Background : The Namokar Mantra is the essence of the gospel of the Tirthankaras. These are the great Arihantas, the enlightened human beings who appear in decided eras, according to Jain chronology, to guide and teach mankind. An enlightened person has discovered the true nature of reality beyond appearances, and has penetrated all the secrets and mysteries of existence. This is the state of the Arihant which any aspirant may emulate. The Tirhankar, moreover, has created a spiritual path or bridge, a tirth, based on the principle of non violence for the salvation of all souls. On this earth there have been twenty-four Tirthankaras, each of whom has reanimated and revolutionised the ahimsa path for each age. The most recent Tirthankar was Lord Mahavir, who lived 2,500 years ago. His predecessor was Lord Parswanath.

In its eternal significance and application, the Namokar Mantra is without beginning or end. In their omniscience, the Tirthankaras have expounded upon the various states of consciousness as represented in the Namokar Mantra. They have taught the complete knowledge of the esoteric science of letters (Matrika Vidya) describing the special powers of each vowel and consonant. Subsequently, the Tirthankaras chief disciples, known as Ganadharas, have used this precious knowledge to actually form a mantra by combining letters and their sounds and powers for the most beneficial effect.

Understandably then, the Namokar Mantra has been conveyed to this age in Prakrit, the language of its composition. For every era the Namokar mantra has taken a different from, but its essence has remained the same. As only the Ganadhar is qualified to combine sounds as taught by the Tirthankar, no one else of the mantra without distorting it. There is a deep, secret science to the combination of sounds. Specific syllables are seeds for the awakening of latent powers. Only the person who has been initiated into the vibrational realms, who has actually experienced this level of reality, can fully understand the Science of Letters. Thus, the Namokar Mantra is a treasured gift to humanity of unestimable worth of the purification, upliftment and spiritual evolution of everyone.

Concept of the Arihant : The Namokar Mantra appears with each Tirthankar. Without this Tirthankar (Arihant ), the mantra is not available to us. The Arihant is God because he shows us the reality of the Siddha-the highest state of consciousness. In the mantra, the Arihant is the symbol of human perfection. He is the Godman.

In our human incarnation, we can achieve the state of Arihanthood. There is, however, a limitation to this state because of man's physical and causal bodies. The letter carries our accumulated karmic matter to the present existence. We cannot reach the unlimited state of Siddhahood until we have broken every bond with the physical body. Every man and woman has the potential to reach this state since the soul is perfect. Truth has no concern for caste or creed. At this time, twenty Arinantas exist. These divine souls can be contacted buy anyone, at any time, by meditation and devotion.

The Arihant has laid the foundation for he spiritual system; he has guided our progress. For this reason, the Namokar Mantra first pays respect to the Arihant and then to the Siddha- the highest state of consciousness, our final of total liberation.

In his mercy, to help this suffering world, 
And the seekers of divine light
he leaves for us his own spiritual body,
His mantra body,
For the betterment of the entire univers.
Sloka 8 from the Namaskar Mantra Stotram

Conclusion : As light is to darkness, the Namokar Mantra illuminates and awakens to divine qualities of the soul. It is not a religious ritualistic prayer, but an eternal universal expression of perfection. The Namokar Mantra holds the science of life within itself. It is the key to the divine treasury of knowledge.

When faith is based on knowledge from experience, it becomes unshakable. By mindful repetition and by following the techniques relating to the Namokar Mantra, you can experience its power firsthand in all aspects of life. My blessings to all of you, that your practice may be one-pointed and steady, and that the river of your faith may run deep. The power of the Namokar Mantra will awaken within you and transform you.

This is the way of true humility and liberation. Our goal must be to become the Namokar Mantra.

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Source : Journal of Asian Jain Conference ( March 1990)
Organised By Singapore Jain Religious Society

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Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
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