Trimantra
15
a Tirthankar through the teachings of the acharya. So the acharya
is the embodiment of the highest virtues.
These five obeisance (namaskars) in the Navkar mantra
are ranked the highest. Even the Tirthankars praise the acharya.
Questioner : Correct, correct, absolutely correct!
Dadashri : It is because of the power and the
charisma of an acharya that one becomes a Tirthankar.
Ganadhar : Transcends Mind & Intellect
Questioner : Can the ganadhar (premier disciple) of
the Tirthankar Lord be considered on the same level as the
acharya?
Dadashri : Yes, they are considered to be on the same
level as the acharya. The acharya is a ganadhar. All ganadhars
are acharyas, but all acharyas are not ganadhars. They are
called gandhar because they have transcended all layers of the
intellect. An acharya may or may not have transcended the
intellect.
I too have transcended all the layers of intellect. The layer
of the mind is the moon and the layer of the intellect is the sun.
A ganadhar is the one who has gone beyond these layers of the
moon and sun and yet remains and abides by the instructions of
the Tirthankar. I too have gone beyond the layers of the moon
and the sun!
Qualities Of An Acharya
Acharyas have complete knowledge of the scriptures and
they have absorbed it. The sadhus are in the process of studying
the scriptures, but they too have realized the Self, they have
acquired the true knowledge (samkit) but are studying further.
The upaadhyayas are studying themselves and also teaching
others the same. The upadhyayas have progressed in their study