Trimantra
9
precisely why the arihants have been placed before the siddha
in the mantra.
The Value Of Presence
Questioner : Do people think that Simandhar Swami
is in some foreign place?
Dadashri : It is of no great significance where the present
Tirthankara is; wherever he may be. If you talk about location,
then previously they were in the state of Bihar, but of what use
was it to the people living in the Charotar Region of Gujarat?
In those days there were no means of transportation, so of what
use was this to them? Nevertheless, the Tirthankars can be
worshipped through their names, wherever they may be, as long
as we have the knowledge that they are presently living. In the
same way, the distance here between Simandhar Swami and us
is very great, but is he not living? He is present at this very
moment and so he is considered a current Tirthankar.
It does not matter if you have not seen the arihant. For
example you did not get to see the arihant in Mahavir’s time.
You did not see Lord Mahavir. Mahavir Bhagwan was
somewhere else and you were here, he would still be an arihant.
So if you recognize a real arihant as arihant, it will be to your
great advantage. Otherwise all your effort will be in vain. For
this very reason, the Navkar mantra that you recite will not give
any results.
Who Can be Called a Tirthankara?
Tirthankars are the ones who have absolute knowledge
(Keval Gnan). There are other Kevalis, who too have absolute
knowledge. But for one to be a Tirthankar, one has to have the
Tirthankara-name-karma come into fruition. The Tirthankars
purify the very ground they walk on and these places become
places of worship. No one else in the whole world has merit
karma of such quality. No one else has such exquisite atoms