Jain Journal 2001 10

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

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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXVI, No. 2 October, 2001
niece of Mahaprabhu Bēcha Gauḍa, went to svarga by Sallēkhana. She was a disciple of the Rajaguru Siddhanta -yati.11 Chanda Gaundi, wife of Mahaprabhu Chanda Gaunda and a disciple of Vijayakīrti, renounced her life in the same manner. 12 Thus there are many references self-invited deaths by Sallekhana Vrata. 13
Worship and Festivals of the Jainas
The important Jaina rituals may briefly be mentioned. It was the Jaina practice to wash their images with water. They observed Candana Pūjā (worship with sandal paste) Akṣata Pūjā (offering of rice grains) and Naivedya Pūjā (worship with an offer of food). This was followed by Arati or the lighting of the lamp in the evening. A record refers to Kṣira pūjā (anointing the god with Pañcāmṛta) and Siddha Cakra Pūjā (bathing the Siddhas with milk), Kārtika Pūjā, Nandiśvarada aṣṭānika Śiva-rātri, Śruta Pañcami, Pañca kalyāṇa. 14 The daily worship in a Digambara Jaina temple consisted of Jala Puja or the bathing of the idol followed by Candana Pūjā or decorating the idol with three auspicious marks of yellow powder and the Arati Puja instituted at evening time. The worship of the Siddha Cakra or saint wheel, which is preserved in every Jaina temple, was also prevalent. Another interesting aspect of Jaina worship was the bathing of Gomatesvara at Śravanabelgola, which occurs once in every twenty-five years. Such an event took place during the reign of Sāļuva Immaḍi Devaraya of Gerasoppe in about A.D. 1560.15 Gomaṭābhiṣēka was the most famous festival among the Jainas. This festival was celebrated at Śravanabelgola and Karkala in Karnataka. In an inscription, however, it is mentioned that this is celebrated at certain conjunctions of the heavenly bodies at intervals of several years.
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An important aspect of Nandisvara Aṣṭānika Pūjā was that it was performed in Kartika, Phalguna and Aṣāḍha months from Aṣṭami to Pūmimā. This is observed for eight days. In the case of additional tithis, the vrata was observed for one day more. The important part of this Pūjā was the anointing ceremony of Jina. The guru did the Pūjā sankalpa or the formal beginning. During the eight days of the vrata, brahmacarya or celibacy was observed. On Aṣṭami, during day time,
11. E.C. Vol. VIII, Sb. 103.
12. Ibid., No. 105.
13. Ibid. 107; Ibid., T1. 121; Ibid., Sa. 60.
14. E.C. Vol. VIII, Sa. 163.
15. Ibid., No. 55.
16. E.C. Vol. II, Intro., p. 30.