Jain Journal 1992 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 32

JANUARY, 1992
177
Kannada name
Botanical
name
English name
Fortune
8 Hesaru Phaseolas Mungo Green Gram To possess gold
ornaments 9 Alasaude Vigna Catiaug Runners Beau To achieve fame 10 Navane Panicum Italicum Millet To get rid of quarrel
some nature 11 Batta Oryzasativa
Paddy
To become a scholar
Apart from these, fruits, flowers, ghee, jaggery, hurige, birusege* and other fried items were also offered as gifts. Besides these, clothes were offered) to the monks and the nuns and ahāradāna to Caturvarņa Muni Sangha and many such meritorious deeds were performed. This nompy was observed by one Kaņakamālā, according to the instruction of Devapāla Muni and consequently she was bestowed with wealth and children. After leading a happy family life, she entered the monastic life and died of samādhi marana.41
The nompy celebration also gave rise to the multiplication of rituals. resulting in the widening of the socio-religious activities. Thereupon the Jaina householders were also inspired by the Ācāryas to conduct religious rites more or less at par with the Brahminical religious complexity. 48 However, the fundamental Jaina concept of Right faith, Right knowledge and Right belief was upheld and thus the Jaina religious structure was kept intact.
It has also resulted in the amalgamation of many Hindu rites and ceremonies into the Jaina structure. For instance, the Ananta-Caturdaśī vrata is a popularly observed nompy among the Brahminical section of the Hindu society. This is observed on the 14th day of the bright fortnight during the month of Bhadrapada that is August September. This vrata is celebrated in honour of God Narāyaṇa, reclining on the back of a serpent, symbolising the space and wisdom in a posture of inactivity. This posture is called "Ananta Sayana'. The intention of performing of this nompy is to develop immunity to all the sorrows.43
*Sweets fried in ghee. Rice or wheat flour mixed with jaggery and other incenses like cardamom, clove, etc. 41 Ibid. 42 Ibid. 43 Encyclopaedia of Indian Culture, Vol. I, p. 71.