HereNow4U - Living Jainism Tour 2006 - 05.07 Ladnun - Hariyal

24th November 2006, 07:30 - 11:30

We never will forget this meaning- and in our memory - so colourful ride through the desert from Ladnun to Hariyal with Samanijis Param & Punya Pragya. As announced, we started at 07:30; Samanijis were already at the meeting point. After Mangal Path from Munishree Kishan Lalji and farewell from Munishree Neeraj Kumarji, we witnessed how the Samanijis took their leave. We felt happy and blessed and understood that another auspicious day was about to start.

Six Samanijis were present when Samani Param Pragyaji got blessings from then Samani Niyojika Akshay Pragyaji (up to January 2007), and Samani Punya Pragyaji bowed down and touched the latter’s feet. It was touching to see how tender and amicable Samanijis’ attitude is to each other. Samanijis Param & Punya Pragyaji mounted into the car and off we went. On the road again, the seven beckoning Samanijis were our last impression of JVB Ladnun’s campus. Samanijis started to recite prayers and Mantras, and we devotedly listened to them.

First halt was, as expected, at the gate where the train connecting Rewari with Bikaner crossed the road. We were told that this train does only come two times a day across the gate, but could hardly believe this. No matter which hour in the morning or afternoon we reached there, we every time faced the train.

In the car again, Samani Param Pragyaji asked Karuna if she knows Namokar Mantra by heart. After Karuna’s recitation, Samani Param Pragyaji gave approximately the following explanation to her - written from memory:

Namo Arihantanam
I bow down to the emancipated ones, dwelling in a body

Namo Siddhanam
I bow down to the liberated ones, no longer dwelling in a body

Namo Airiyanam
I bow down to all founders of religion, having preached the path of universal love and brotherhood

Namo Uvajjhayanam
I bow down to all spiritual teachers helping people through their example to search liberation

Namo Loe Savva-Sahunam
I bow down to all saints having realised the most possible form of non-violence in their lives

Eso Panche Namokaro
These five bowing downs,

Savva-Pavappanasano
Are connecting me with the most auspicious souls,

Padhamam Havei Mangalam
Vibrating in the whole universe and in my body, mind, and soul.

We continued the trip in deep meditation, and after some time reached Salasar Balaji, legendary Rajasthani pilgrimage site in Churu district, generally visited by innumerable devotees of Lord Hanuman. The temple just opened when we arrived. Due to the early hour, only few visitors were present beside us.

We enjoyed the calm and peace of the holy location; when talking to each other, we automatically brought down our voices. Blended by the beauty of the artwork, we stood in front of a wall, all over covered with minute silver handicraft. In this environment, Samanijis appeared like angels; everyone felt blessed by their presence.

When we left the temple, busses arrived, filled with tourists and devotees. Even the tea stall was yet about to open, people kindly hurried to get tea ready and serve it to us.

After two hours, we saw big placards showing Acharya Mahaprajnaji and Yuvacharya Mahashramanji, but had to search the turnoff to Hariyal for some time, as the village is situated in a distance of 500 m from the highway and not visible from there; the desert is rather hilly in this area.

Samanijis immediately joined a gathering of Samanijis, as Ahimsa Yatra was announced to arrive shortly.