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Please read carefully to grasp the ceremonials properly and perform them right without a lapse. This way alone, what we set our heart upon, is gained. Two Types of Jinpuja (worship of Jina) Saguna & Nirguna:
There is the worship of Jina in the form or image (Saguna) and also worship of Jina as formless one(Nirguna) (the spiritual idea of Jina).
The saguna worship of the idol of Jina is of eight kinds (Ashtaprakari) : We require the medium of an idol or image for worship till we reach the 7th Gunasthan-Seventh Stage in the spiritual development. Nirguna Upasana consists of devotion and meditation on the Formless one. It is the process, or path of meditation rise to the stage of the 8th Gunasthan and beyond, where Saguna Upasana is abandoned on acquiring higher mental concentration and steadiness of mind that we can resort to Nirguna Upasana and not before. But a beginner requires the medium of idol. While carrying on the Dravyapuja we should do the Bhav-Puja or mental act of worship. We have to proceed from the grass level of Dravya puja to the subtle level in worship Bhav puja. Those who can only perform Dravya puja initially, gradually progress to the stage of Bhav puja.
We know how words and pictures in cinema or T.V. exercise powerful influence on mind but good thoughts, otherwise, conveyed, are much less effective. Hence, a word is given to us for remembering His Name and an Idol is adopted for providing a form for worshipping Him.
7, imbibe in us the virtues that He possesses, we adore, worship and revere Him through an Idol. It helps in seeking release from sins,
disturbances and applications of worldly existence and gain peace, Ieqanimity and bliss of mind in our lives.
FIVE TYPES OF WORSHIP : पुष्पाद्यर्चा तदाज्ञा च तद्रव्य परिरक्षणम् ।
उत्सवास्तीर्थ यात्रा च भक्ति: पंचविधा जिने ॥ (1) Worship with flowers etc. (Ashta-Prakari). (2) Obedience to His Commands. (3) Protection of Dev Dravya (temple assets). (4) Festivals. (5) Pilgrimage to holy places.
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