Tirthankarasana:: A Work On Jaina Yoga

The purpose of this book is not only to show the proper procedures of doing the poses, but also to spread light on dhydna, mantra, and japa, and remember the kindness and grace showered upon us by great saints and svamis. The writer is an accomplished mediator. The insights and essences he realized during many years of meditation have been published for the benefit of fortunate readers. The benefits of this book will be self-evident as you delve deeper into yogic practices. In this book on Jain Yoga, some poses are totally new while others have been dealt with in other works on yoga. The poses are named both traditionally and with the names of the Tirthaitkaras. For each asana, mantras are given to deepen the engagement with the poses on physical, mental, and spiritual levels.

SHANTILAL D. PARAKH He is an internationally known yoga teacher, reflexologies, metaphysician and healer. He served for many years as the Vice-Chair of the International Mahavir Jain Mission, having been appointed directly by the Chair and Founder, Acharya Sushil Kumar. Though he was educated in the sciences from the ITT Bombay, he has been practicing yoga for over 50 years and has been reading palms and working on the hands and feet for over 45 years. Shand has also won championships in Hatha Yoga.

Tirthahkarasana pays homage to the 24 Jaina Tirthahkarasi of the present era. It is the fruit of many years of meditation and sadhana. Piercing the veil of darkness and ignorance that obscures Reality is most difficult. True guidance often feels perpetually out of reach. But as I sat in meditation during that time of my life, the images of the Tirthankaras began to come alive, one-by-one, and revealed their deeper esoteric meanings. I could see clearly the lOnchans or symbols of each Trthankara, and as I practiced certain asanas of Hatha Yoga, these dsanas became connected to each lirthankara. What was in those symbols of the Trthankaras? Were they only for the prescribed canonical purpose of differentiating each Ththankara? Or was there some deeper, coded meaning? There must have been a very special reason why the Jaina ganddharas, dcdryas, and upddhydyas created special symbols for all of the 24 Trthahkaras of the current ayasarpinT.2 These symbols assumed great importance to me because they shone a bright light on aspects of Hatha and Raja Yoga and connected Yoga to Jainism in a concrete way. After spending a long time in deep meditation and pondering the meanings of the lanchans, their deeper meaning and the linkages to Hatha yoga poses unmistakably began to emerge. It is impious to even think of changing the perfect knowledge contained within Hatha Yoga or to modify the omniscience of Jaina principles. Fortunately, there is no need. Jaina principles exist in Hatha Yoga and yogic principles exist in Jainism. Indeed, there have been a number of notable treatises on yoga written by Jaina Ocdryas, including those by Acarya Bhadrabahu and Acarya Hemacandra. This humble work is only the latest attempt to connect these two great traditions and demonstrate their essential unity, with a particular focus on oisana and mantra. Anything that you may find of value in this book is due to the blessings of elders and Divine beings; any deficiencies are mine alone for which I humbly ask your forgiveness. Please do not hesitate to contact me to share your experiences. May this book help unite the followers of all Jaina traditions and the followers of other religious traditions. May right faith, right vision and right conduct lead to universal peace and harmony, without and within. This is my humble prayer.