Conch Shell sound is Anti-illness

CONCH-SHELL SOUND IS ANTI-ILLNESS
Now it has been scientifically proved that sounds of conchshell and bell destroy germs of diseases. The sound of a conchshell btown with the force of 27 cubic feet per second destroys the germs over a distance of upto 200 feet. It also kills the germs of cholera, malaria etc. Healing response is also produced in patients suffering from epilepsy. loss of consciousness, scrofula, leprosy etc. Dr. Vinen of Chicaho claims to have cured thirteen hundred deaf patients by conch blow. In Africa, victims of poisonous snake-committee of three scientists to investigate the bell sound bite are treated by ringing bells. A moscow court set up, after conducting tests for seven days, the committee announced that the sound of bell cures tuberculosis (T.B.). Besides (T.B.)., it also provides relief from many other bodily ailments and facilitates mental growth. At a sanatorium in Moscow., a study on use of bell sound for treatment of T.B. is being conducted for the past many years. [By courtesy Dikshant Thakur, Vishwamitra, Calcutt (16.4.1977). In the modern scientific age, use of vatious sound amplifying and dispersing equipments is also causing sound pollution. Even then, it sounds are used with a feeling of devotion, we can achieve success. In some places, from security point of view, bell is hung inside the temple. After ringing the bell, one should utter, in a medium voice, `Om Jai-Jai-Jai ! Nissahi, nissahi, nissahi ! Namo stu, Namo stu, Namo stu ! Just, why is `nissahi' pronounced while entering the temple ? As people form their groups after groups and go on pilgrimage, in the same away, gods of devgati or divine state arrive in invisible form from the four directions and accumulate punya (ment) by offering their devotion and worship at Jin temples, and, whichever idols fascinate them, whichever places attract them, those gods also express atishaya (miracle) or the utmost devotion there. Thus, the word `issahi'. is spoken, so that there should be no disturbance in the act of devotion, worship of the invisible gods if present Hearing the word `nissahi' they get themselves readjusted and spare suificient room for you. Besides, this word is uttered also by way of permission from regional gods, tripaladiks etc. to enter the temple. Some people interpret the word `nissahi' in the sense of leaving all inauspicious or unholy passions, desires etc. Outside the temple. But in fact, when we start from home for the temple, our inauspicious, unholy attachments etc. are already left behind, ought to be left behind. In that case, interpretation of the word `nissahi' in the sense of leaving behind of inauspicious attachments etc. does not seem appropriate enough. The main thing about it, and the authentic interpretation is, that in our scriptures like the ital etc., thirteen kinds of activities have been prescribed for saints as well as believers and devotees. ital (homage) the ital, the six essentials, nissahi'. assahi' etc. figure among those thriteen rituals. Out of those thirteen, `nissahi' is practised before entering a temple, city, village, house, cremation ground (or ghat), sitting under a tree, urinating or passing stool etc., and so on. Later, while leaving that place `assahi' is pronounced thrice. This also goes to prove that the word `nissahi' is not merely used for leaving inauspicious or unholy passions etc, behind but for kshetrapalas and others' permission to enter the temple. Had it not been so. i.e. if `nissahi' merely meant that we have left the inauspicious behind, then by `assahi', its apposite, do we go back to embrace those unholy options ? The word `nissahi' also signals our arrival to our coreligionsists or devotees already engaged in darshan worship, devotion etc. inside the temple. It announces to them that some other devotes too has arrived for darshan. With that, they would make room/should shift up for you too. At the same time. announcement of your arrival just behind might all of a sudden frighten the person in the front with his shadow. Thus, with these things in view, our acharyas (teachers) have made provision for words like `nissahi'. Again, one should read the Namokar mantra, its significance and Chattari Dandak with a feeling of devotion. For example. Namo Arithantanam-Let there be salutation to the Arhantas. Namo Siddhanam-Let there be salutation to the perfect Ones. Namo Airianam-Let there be salutation to the Per Acharys. Namo Uvajjhyanam-Let there be salutation to the Upadhyayas. Namo Loye-savva sahunam	-Let there be salutation to all the sages of the world Namo Arihantanam Namo Siddhanam Namo Airiyanam Namo Uvajjhyanam Namo loye-savva-sahunam

Meaning : This panchanamaskar mantra liquidates all the sins. It is the top-most mangal (auspicious) among all the mangals of the world. That is why Puspadanta Bhotvali Acharyaji has written the Namokar mantra as the mangalacharan (invocation) in Shatkhandagam grantha (scripture). In this manner, with folded hands, chanting the following sloka (sanskrit stanza of verse) उदक चंदन तन्दुल पुष्पकैश्चरु सुदीप सुधूप फलार्घकै: । धवल मंगल गान रवा कुले, जिन गृहे जिननाथमहं यजे ।। Udaka chandna tandula puspakai, charu sudeep sudhoop phalarghifkaih. Dhawal mangal gaan rawakule, jin grihe Jin Nath-maham-yaje. Which means, with the oblation of water, sandal, rice, flowers alongwith a wooden spoon and earthen lamp, I perform yajna of Jin Nath in the Jin temple. The offering should be made in five small mounds chanting the mantra ‘‘ऊँ ह्रीं श्रीं गर्भ—जन्म—तप—ज्ञान—निर्वाण कल्याणक प्राप्तयें जलादि अघ्र्य निर्वपामीति स्वाहा’’ [ Om hrin shrin garbhajanma-tape-gyan-nirvan kalyanaka praptayen jaladi arghyam nirvapameeti swaha. ] Thus reciting the mantra, the bolation should be offered. Now the question arises that when in the temple, the idols are of the Arihantas, why are Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sarva Sadhu included in the mantra ? Its answer is that when these statues underho the panchakalyanakas, they get charged (cultured) with the deeksha (tapa) mantras of Sadhus, Upadhyayas and Acharya parameshthis. Again, in Kewal Gyan Kalyanaka, Attributes of the Arihantas, and in Mokshakalyanaka, those of siddhas are initiated. That is why there is no harm in offering oblation to the idol symbolic of the Panchaparmeshthi. Oblation refers to value and that which is offered as oblation is regarded as valuable. But in the worship mantras oblation stands for mixture of all the eight articles including water, fruits etc. As a matter of fact, those things, i.e., water, fruits etc, that we have added to our possessions by investing our labour or money form an integral part of our offerings. Regarding that Samagri as valuable, offering it to our deities, and forsaking our own sense of possession, attachment, ownership alone is oblation. Some people also make a siddha-shila in the shape of ‘TB’ (Om). swastika, Hrin Shrin or moon. There is nothing wrong with that. The samagri should be offered with humility and not by throwing it over or spreading it all around. Money should not be offered at the alter, In case it must be offered, it should be put in the golak or box placed in the temple. That is because money from the golak is used for security of the temple and equipment etc. for it. After putting rice etc., one should bow in greeting (namaskar). Males should do that in the panchang style as prescribed by scriptures. It involves placing on the floor, both the knees, both the elbows, both the hands in conconut shape upon which head is placed, and then prostrating or lying down in the astang or sarvang pose. Saints, nuns, women, girls etc. should go into the gawasana, i.e. placing the knees on the ground, turning the knees to the left hand side and feet to the right, as a cow sists, tangentially, Further, both the elbows should touch the floor. Both the palms too, in coconut shape, should touch the ground and the head should be placed on them, and then should namaskar be said. Gestures or poses of prostration (greeting) too make an impact upon our mind and body. Bodily strcture, clothes and the style of dressing up do make the namaskar postures of males and females different. Having darshan with right type of namaskar posture definitely influences of our fruits or outcome. Even in prostration, we should keep chanting prayers etc., pronouncing different adjectives of Lord Jinendra, for instance-`O' Oniscient ! Detched Lord !! Benign Preacher !!! Beyond the eighteen flaws like birth, life, death etc, equipped with forty six attributes like atishaya (miracle) etc., Arihanta Parameshthi, our countless prostrations to you, `Saying like this, we should bow at least thrice in the namaskar posture. By doing that, our mental tension is relieved, humility or politeness is manifested, sense of regard for the reverend souls and surrender to them is reflected. Further, by greeting with `Vande tadguna labhdhaye, i.e., `let the god-like attrabutes, like ascetism etc., be imbibed,' we aspire for those divine qualities. Thus, one should greet or offer prostration with such kind of spirit. While getting young children to offer their devotion, they should be taught to speak-Let there be faith. let there be wisdom, let there be good sense, let there be moral conduct, let us obtain the gift or ranatraya. श्रीमत्—पवित्र—मकलंक—मनन्त—कल्पम्, स्वायं भुवं सकल मंगल—मादि तीर्थम्। नित्योत्सवं मणिमयं निलयं जिनानाम्, त्रैलोक्य भूषण—महं शरणं प्रपद्ये।। [Shrimat-pavitra-makalanka-mananata kalpam, Swaayam bhuvam sakal mangala-madi tirtham, Nityotsavam manimayam nilayam Jinanam, Trailokya bhushanam-maham sharanam prapadye.] Jin's home or temple, that consists of Lakshmi's splendour or beauty, is holy, free from blemish, infinite and fulfiller of desires. Lord I go to its shelter. Utter the slogan of victory of Shri 1008 Lord Shri Arihanta Parameshthi................. Sharade I bow to you again and ahain............... Victory Shri Dwadashang Jinwani Mother.......... Victory Acharya Shiromani Shri Dharmsagar ji Maharaj- Victory the non-violent world faith......................... Yesterday, we had heard about how to enter a temple, how to offer the samagri, how to bow down or prostrate and so on. Today, we shall talk about what to do after bowing down or namaskar and how. After namaskar, usually all the people receive gandholdaka (holy, perfumed paste or fluid having sandal etc....,).