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vows; non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession. Ultimately these vows will lead to liberation.
When we light the lamp in right manner our miseries get destroyed. As a result, we get the knowledge in the form of Kevaljnana, which illuminates the whole universe.
6. Akshat Pujä: (Rice): Rice is a kind of grain, which is non-fertile. One cannot grow rice plants by seeding rice. Symbolically, it represents the last birth, By doing this Jinpujäone should thrive to put all efforts in life in such a way that this life becomes the last life, and there will be no more birth after this life. Literally, Akshat means unbroken, and it stands for unbroken happiness. The bright white color of rice represents the purity of our soul.
By offering pure and unbroken rice grains in the form of Nandavarta, we meditate in front of Arihant, keeping all our worldly attachments away.
7. Naivedya Pujä: (Sweets): Naivedya symbolizes tasty food. By doing this Jinpujä, one should thrive to reduce or eliminate attachment to tasty food. Healthy food is essential for survival, however one should not live for tasty food. Ultimate aim in one's life is to attain Moksha where no food is essential for survival.
In the course of cycle of birth and death I have remained hungry many times. But that was transitory. Oh! Arihant! Give me permanent state where there is no desire of food (Moksha).
8. Fal Pujä: (Fruit): Fruit is a symbol of Moksha or liberation. If we live our life without any attachment to worldly affairs, continue to perform our duty without any expectation and reward, be a witness to all the incidents that occur surrounding us, truly follow monkhood life, and have a love and compassion to all living beings, we will attain the fruit of liberation. This is the last Jinpujä symbolizing the ultimate achievement of our life.
For the Puja of Arihant, the Supreme Being, the heavenly gods bring fruits with devotion and as a result ask for the Moksha, the ultimate fruit.
1.8. Performance of Rice Swastik & its Significance (In Akshat Pujä, Naivedya Pujä and Fal Pujä performed together to complete above 6, 7 and 8)
The swastik sign symbolizes the samsarik cycle that is consisted of four destinies: 1. heavenly beings, 2. humans, 3. hell beings and 4. rest of the living forms (animals, plants, etc.). A given soul can be born unaccountable number of times in each type. After JinDarshan or Jinpujä, the aspirant sits on a mat in front of the Parmätmä. He/she forms a sign of swastika using rice grains on a plate or a wooden plank. This symbolizes the four-samsarik destinies. Then he/she places three dots above the swastik sign. Three dots symbolize the three jewels- perfect perception, perfect knowledge and perfect conduct. These three provide the means for escaping the miserable samsarikcycle. Finally, he/she makes a half circle on the top of three dots and puts a dot in that half circle. This half circle figure with a dot symbolizes the place, sidhdhha-lok (upper portion of the universe) where the liberated souls are. The aspirant desires to be liberated from the samsarik cycle of four destinies by the means of right perception; right knowledge and right conduct and attain Moksha. The aspirant puts Sweet on the swastik symbolizing he/
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