Book Title: Anjan Shalaka Pran Pratistha Ceremony Shwetambar Sect
Author(s): Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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________________ change the status the other way. To change the status, one needs to send the existing murti to India so that an Acharya Maharaj can perform the required rituals. A Präna-Pratishthä celebration may last from 5 to 12 days depending upon whether certain rituals are performed in their mini versions or their elaborate versions. The Simple Pratishthä rituals can be done within two days. Differences between Simple and Präna-Pratishtha (Anjan-Shaläkä) Murti: It is believed that with the Simple Pratishtha Vidhi, the murti is considered "Darshaniya" meaning that, as a minimum requirement, one needs to do Darshan and prayer daily, and with the PränaPratishtha, the murti becomes "Pujaniya" meaning that Jain members of the society must do Ashtaprakari Puja daily, Arti and Mangal Divo two times a day, and other rituals as defined in Appendix 1. It seems that the belief of "Darshniya" and "Pujaniya" is a traditional belief. There is no authentic documented evidence exist of this belief in the ancient literature which explains Jain Principles, Philosophy, Conduct, and Ritual. Both murtis, with and without the Anjan-Shaläkä сeremony, look the same. However, it is strongly believed that many powerful Mantras and Sutras recited by Shri Acharya Maharaj during Pancha-Kalyanak and Anjan-Shaläkä rituals, which invoke: Life (Präna) in the Tirthankar murti during Chyavana (conception) Kalyanak ritual. Hence the murti is considered a living person (Tirthankar). "Divya Chakshu" (Keval-inän) by Anjan-Shaläkä ritual during Keval Jnäna Kalyänak. Hence the murti becomes living Tirthankar. Shäsan Devata (heavenly demigod of the Bhavanpati category) who provides protection to Tirthankar murti, the temple and the community associated with the temple. It is also believed that the Shäsan Devata will bring material prosperity to the society and its members. A Tirthankar attains Keval-Jnän once which remains forever; hence, once this ritual is performed on any Tirthankar murti, then its status can never be changed in future with one exception - if the murti is physically damaged then there is a special ritual which is performed to uninstall the Anjan-Shaläkä ritual on the physically damaged murti before properly disposing it off. Once the temple installs an Anjan-Shaläkä or "Pujaniya" murti, then members of the society must perform certain rituals daily and certain rituals yearly (see Appendix 1) under all circumstances other than natural disasters (earth quake, flood, etc.) beyond human control. In summary, the members of the society must perform following rituals daily (all 365 days) and annually to the "Pujaniya" murti for ever: Ashta-Prakäri puja (Puja which uses 8 different items) and Chaityavandan ritual in the morning every day. Daily Arti and Mangal Divo rituals in the morning and evening Changing of a flag ceremony including Astotary Snätra or Laghu shanty Snätra Mahotsav and Sattar Bhedi Puja rituals once a year Adhar Abhisheka Ritual once a year However, one can do all these rituals on a "Darshaniya" murti voluntarily (it is not required). Benefits of Präna Pratistha / Anjan Shalaka Murti:

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