Mantra Jnana: A Passage through the Sukshma Sharira Hardcover – March 24, 2026

Mantra Jnana: A Passage through the Sukshma Sharira offers a comprehensive exploration of Jain mantra philosophy and its impact on the subtle body. Based on the teachings of Acharya Sushil Kumar, it delves into the metaphysics of language and the transformative power of mantras in spiritual progression.Mantra formulation and articulation is a highly intricate process by which noble and subtle thoughts are transformed into effective mantras proficiently structured by learned spiritualists. Yogis, rishis, and acaryas developed mantras over the ages as a result of intense research, validation, and practice giving spectacular spiritual and material benefits to their practitioners.This book is the consummation of the thoughts, theories, notes, and public orations on mantra-jnana by Acharya Sushil Kumar (1926-1994), a prominent Jain monk of the twentieth century, who gave Jain dharma a global reach for the first time. His namokara philosophy, along with the philosophy of Namokara Mantra, forms the basis of this book. The book, an elaborate commentary in a nutshell, emphasizes the interplay between phonemes and the fundamental elements of nature, known as Pancha Bhutas – dravya-tattvas. It covers all the quintessential aspects in Jain mantra-jnana such as metaphysics of dhvani (sound or vibrations), attributions of signifiers, mantra creation, mantric effects on practitioner, subtle body (sukṣhma sharira) physiology. It highlights the intricate relationships between sound (dhvani), light (prakasha), colors (rangas), and shapes (aakrtis) in the context of mantra practice and mantra-japa, and the internalization of mantra japa. It precisely delves into the ways into which mantras interact with the subtle body to have their profound effects on the practitioner. It also critically examines the concepts of rama and arham (spelled arhum in this book).The Jain wisdom on mantras as an important knowledge is presented to the modern reader making it accessible to specialists and seekers alike. The book, thus, is structured in such a way that it should serve as an excellent reference for both academic and non-academic readers on mantra-jnana. Read more