Trimantra
41
language. Lord Mahavir had said not to turn the mantra into
worldly language. It was to be kept in the original Ardha
Maghadi language.
But what did people do? They left the pratikraman in the
Ardha Maghadi language and they teased the words of the
Navkar mantra. In pratikraman there is a ritual of activity
(kraman), but this is a mantra! If a person does not understand
the true manner of doing pratikraman, then he will continue to
curse and do pratikramans.
People have no understanding and yet they recite the
mantra with their own stubborn conviction and notion. Even if
a mad man recited this mantra, it would still benefit him; however
it is better to say it with understanding.
This Navkar mantra dates back from the time of the Lord
and it is the true mantra, but only if one understands it! People
recite it without understanding the meaning and that is why it
does not give the benefits it should. Still this will not let anyone
regress. It can only be called Navkar mantra if its removes
worries. How can one blame the Navkar mantra if the one
reciting it is at fault?
Do we not have the saying, ‘What can the poor rosary
do, when the person turning the beads is unworthy?’
Of all the people who recite the mantra, how many recite
it with focused awareness (upyog)? How many do their rosary
with attention? Their focus is on the beads instead: ‘This one is
going and the next one is coming, this one…’ Things continue
in this manner! What is more, they make little bags for their
rosary that covers their hand, so they can turn the beads over
faster!
The lord has said that you will only reap benefits from
your rituals (kriyas), whether it is the rosary or the Navkar
mantra, if you do it with awareness. Otherwise it will be like