Nava Smarana- Nine Sacred Recitations of Jainism

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Some of these recitations are very popular and almost worshipped by devout Jains. The smarana that have been explored in this book can only give one a glimpse in to the vast ocean of Jain literary works and achievements. Although, many sometimes are recited in prayers almost every day, there is no in-depth study that has been done in English. This book aims to explore nine holy recitations out of that vast field.

Perhaps this is the first attempt to bring some of the recitations to the western world. Some recitations have been translated into English by various authors in the past but there was no serious attempt to analyze them in depth. I have provided meanings of the stotras with proper commentary. I have also analyzed the mantras and yantras associated with these stotras.

The book is presented in three parts. The first part contains a general outline and explanations of the stotra-literature and its place in the Jain religion. I have narrated the brief history of the Neve-smarana and have explained eight out of the nine recitations in this part. The first recitation is called Namaskara Mantra. The word Namaskara means to bow down. As the Namaskara Mantra is recited whilst praying and in front of an idol whilst bowing, it is named as such. This recitation is given a status of Mantra and it is considered the most important recitation in the Jain religion. The Namaskara Mantra is said to serve as the identity of a Jain.

Recitation No... 7- Bhaktamara Stotre- has been treated in Part 2 separately because the Bhaktamara Stotra occupies a unique place in' Jain Stotra literature. This has been considered a devotional poem par excellence. There are people both in India and outside India who can recite this Stotra with ease and precision of pronunciation. Infect there are small children, even outside India, whose mother- tongue is not Gujarati, Hindi or Sanskrit but they have learnt the Bhaktamara Stotra by heart and can recite all the verses of this Stotra faultlessly without hesitation. There are people who think that Bhaktamara Stotra has immense powers and can free the man from all sorts of worries and difficulties. On this recitation, a large number of books, audio cassettes, video cassettes and CDs are to be found. Various writers who either explain or interpret the Stotra in different styles have composed dozens or perhaps hundreds of poems. The Stotra's importance also lies in the fact that there are at least three beautiful temples in India totally devoted to this Stotra.

Part-3 deals with mantras and yantras related to all the recitations explored in this book. I have mentioned general background and the history of usage of mantras and yantras in Jain religion. I have also included most important mantras in this work and have also reproduced some of the yantras here. The aspect of faith and miraculous powers has also been touched upon from an academic perspective. The subject of nine recitations and stotra literature in general is an interesting one. It gives an insight in to Jain culture and belief system as well. I hope that my presentation will provide enough material for students as well as teachers who would want to pursue the serious study in this field. Part-3 also deals with Jain goddesses and their importance as far as lay people are concerned. The whole phenomenon of goddess-worship has been explored briefly in this section. I have been able to complete this works within four years because of the support and encouragement I have received from various sources. My thanks go to Dr S. L. Gandhi, for providing me wholehearted encouragement and guidance in this matter. My thanks are due also to Late Prof. F. Hardy in London. I am indebted to so many of my friends who have provided me with books and copies of manuscripts for my sole use. My special thanks go to Panyas Pravar Shri Vajrasen vijayji Maharaj saheb and Shri Hem prabha vijayji Maharaj. I thank Mr Mahendra Mehta and Mrs Misshapen Mehta for their valuable help. Thanks also to Mrs Signe Kirde for editing the book and making important changes. Mr Manish Modi of Hindi Granth Karyalay in Mumbai took keen interest in the publication of this book and pro- vided invaluable help in preparing a final version for the print run. I am grateful for his efforts. Finally I thank my wife Sudha and family members for their support and forbearance.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages