ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 268

Svetāmbara Jains 15 The pūjā sequence is called eightfold (astaprakārī) divided in two parts namely the three limbs (anga) pājā where offerings are made onto the limbs of the idol (water, sandalwood paste and flowers) and the second part is called the agra (facing) pūjā where the remaining five offerings are made in front of the idol (incense stick burning, lighted lamp, rice, food and fruits). • The pujārī in the temple first briskly cleans the stone idols, with peacock feather brushes,
of the previous day's offerings on them, then give them a bath and dries the same for the devotees to perform the pūjā. A handful of men and women, especially after they take bath in the temple, wearing two non stitched clothes (for men) and simple daily dress for women on entering the temple, chant abandonment (nissīhi) (move from the world to a holy place three times), then with folded hands in front of the idol says Namo Jiņānam and recites navakāra three times before the idols. Then he/she makes three circumambulations around the idols ending with a bow before the idols. They put a cloth to cover their mouth to perform water pūjā involving a bath to the idols placed on the pedestal followed by wiping it dry with a clean cloth.
Like praksāla of idols by Digambara Jain, they also perform the similar bathing called snātra pūjās of one metal idol kept in temple for the purpose. This is performed by a small group of lay people who come early in the morning. The idol is placed on a pedestal called samosarana and all those who take part in this pūjā sing songs from the books provided along with pouring water on the idol to give it a bath(at times with milk, curd, sugar, ghee and sandalwood also). This ritual is a re-enactment of the first bath given by angels led by Indra (king of gods and goddesses) to the newly born Jina at Mount Meru. In snātra-pājā worshippers take on the role of angels and Indra. On a particular day, not more than 2 or 3 persons perform this pūjā. After drying of the idol, it is returned to the pedestal meant for it.
The next stage of the pūjā is to put dabs of sandalwood paste on nine parts of the idol and to place fresh flowers on the lap, knees shoulders and top of the head of the idol. This is known as anga (limb) pūjā. The process of anointing and decorating may continue by putting perfumed oil, silver leafs pasting and by dressing the idol with jeweled ornaments and a
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