Jain Center of America NY 2005 06 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center of America NY
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY

Page 165

AANGI
By: Raksha Shah
What is it that has always absorbed the interest of the young and the old, the rich and the poor in a Jain temple, at all times, all places in one's hometown or abroad? The Aangi, of course! What does the word "Aangi mean and what is its significance to the aspirant? What is the reason behind such fascination? Does it help an aspirant to rise spiritually? Many such questions crop up into our minds.
The word 'Aang' means the body', and decorating the body is 'AANGI'. To prepare the Aangi is an art and even kids at times prepare stunning Aangis. One may wonder, can an idol be an ideal mode of showing one's devotion to the Almighty? Several have criticized the worship of the inanimate lifeless icons- be they in the form of an idol, signs and symbols, the Yantras or the Mantras.
Man's search for God has resulted in many pathways, each embedded with a range of rituals. A true aspirant, who desires to progress spiritually, opts for one of the paths. Though some prefer the Gyana yoga or the path of wisdom, many a men prefer the Bhakti yoga- the path of devotion. Two types of bhakti yogas are popular amongst the Murtipujak sect of the Jains and the Hindus viz: the bhava-pooja and the dravya-pooja. The dravya -pooja or saguna yoga involves worship of the Roopi or material form. The nirguna bhakti nevertheless is worship of the formless-Aroopi, for the same goal. Whilst the path of the nirguna bhakti is very hard and arduous, most find the Roopi worship more comfortable and satisfactory.
Worship of the icons fills the heart of the aspirant with vatsalya-bhava that makes the path of worship easy, safe and peaceful. Ask the devotees why they spend several hours decorating the idols with flowers and colored powders, jeweled crowns and the Kalgi placed atop the Jina images' heads? The answer is," I simply love to devote my time to perform the AANGI, for it is my way of expressing my feelings towards the Tirthankara who is all-adorable, the possessor of 'n number of attributes", says Jigish. "Why do you love to decorate the idol?" I asked Maneklalbhai, a seventy-four year old, ardent devotee. Said he, “I prefer the Bhaktiyoga instead of Meditation and Svadhyay."
Some scholars have compared rituals of religion to the husk of a seed that preserves its life and makes it germinate, for mere philosophy without rituals in religion at times, becomes dry and insignificant, and a religion bereft of rites and rituals would become insipid It is truly said that it is not difficult to push a boat in the water; but how hard would it be to drag the same boat on land? The presence of the aqueous medium enables the smooth traversal of the boat without exertion. Likewise bhakti, helps to cross the ocean of life without hurdles. Rituals thus play a vital role in molding our spiritual lives and are regarded as the Nectar, which gives immediate fulfillment and elation to the mind. It is only when they are devoid of faith, that they become mechanical and lifeless and meet with criticism.
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