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RITUALS
D03 - Going to the Temple (Shvetämbar & Digambar Tradition)
List of Digambar Pujä Rituals
Abhisheka or Prakshäl (Anointing the Idol and then wiping the idol clean - Prakshalan)
Pujä Prärambh
Ahavänan and Sthäpana
Main Pujä with eight dravyas
Jaimälä
Shänti Path
Visarjan
Ärti
1. Abhisheka
Bathing the idol is called Abhisheka and is usually done with pure water. On certain occasions, people perform the Panchämrit Abhisheka, which consists of five substances (dravyas): water, milk, curd, sandal water, and ghee. However, seeing the way in which milk is obtained these days, one should not use milk and its products in Pujä.
The main purpose of the Abhisheka is to purify our soul and mind. It also serves the purpose of keeping the idol clean. Various prayers praising the virtues of Arihanta are recited during this pujä. It reminds us of Indra's immense joy as he was bathing the newborn Tirthankar on Mount Meru. We pray to God to remove all evil thoughts, desires, passions and worldly attachments so that what remains of us will be pure self.
After bathing, the idol is dried with clean cloth. This is called Prakshalan. At this time one recites the prayer "Prabhu Patit Päwan".
2. Pujä - Prärambh
In this ritual, one recites the Swasti Mangal Stotra.
3. Ahavänan and Sthäpana
In this ritual, one does the invocation and enshrinement of the Dev (deity) whose puja needs to be done.
4. Main Pujä
The main pujä is done with eight substances (Ashta_dravya). In some digambar sub-sects lamp, flowers, and fruits are replaced with pieces of coconut, colored rice and cloves.
1. Jal Pujä:
In this pujä, pure water is offered to rid oneself of the cycle of birth, aging, and death (Janma Jarä Mrutyu Vinäshanäya). Every living being continuously travels through the miseries of birth, life, and death. The Jal reminds us to live our life as pure as water; this way one will be able to attain Moksha.
2. Chandan Pujä:
In this pujä, sandal wood powder or saffron mixed in water is offered to subside the suffering of the world (Samsär Täp Vinäshanäya). The very nature of Chandan (sandal) is to overcome our miseries thru knowledge of our religion.
3. Akshat Pujä:
In this pujä, white washed rice without husk (called Akshat) is offered which symbolizes the end of the birth, life, and death cycle (Akshaya Pada präptaye) just as white rice cannot be planted for rice plant (cannot be germinated).
Page 224 of 398
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
