Aptavani-2
253
Siddhanum’, means I do obeisance to the Siddha Lords who
have attained final moksha. There is no difference between the
Arihant and Siddha except that the Arihants have a physical
body whereas the Siddha Lords are without a body. The third
obeisance is to the Acharyas who have completed and have
absolute knowledge of the Soul and give others the same
knowledge. Then comes upadhyaya; those who have attained
the knowledge of the Soul but are in the process of studying to
become absolute. They also teach and guide others to do the
same. The obeisance ‘Namo Loye savvasahunum’ addresses all
the sadhus; sages of all the different religions. We are not talking
about those who are dressed in saffron or white clothing. We
are talking about only those who are in pursuit of the Soul; all
others cannot be considered sadhus. The rest of the mantra
means that this mantra is the most auspicious of all the mantras.
Lord Rushabhdev had also created all kinds of religions;
a path of liberation as well as a path of doing good over bad.
He has not established a path of going from good to bad
(ashuddha marg). Trimantra lightens the intensity and effect of
karmas; heavy karmas become light. The recitation of the
mantra itself is one of the evidences; it is a part of the total
spectrum. It too is one of the many evidences that come into
play. The Gnani is a nimit (instrumental in the process), but you
would only encounter a nimit if the changes were meant to take
place. Karma will not spare anyone; only if the obstacles were
meant to be destroyed will one come across a nimit and the
mantra has the power to allay the obstacles.
The Brahmin priest looks at all the horoscopes before
arriving at an auspicious time for a marriage of a young woman.
If certain timing of the wedding forecasts a death, he will change
the time, but despite this if the bride was meant to become a
widow, she will. How can anyone make changes in that? As
long as a person is aware, he can exercise caution, but what if
he has no awareness? Such is the worldly life.