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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XXXVII. NO. 2 OCT. 2002 of karma (it helps in Nirjara) (Kašāyapāhuda 1:9:2). In the Svayambhūstrótra Ācārya Samantabhadra says:
na pūjayārthastvayi vītaräge na nindayā nātha nivanthavaire / tathāpi te punyagunasmrtirnah
punātu cittain duritañjanebhyah // Since Jinendra Bhagavān is vitaraga, love will be ineffective on him through worship. Likewise since he is free from hatred, abusing him will not arisc hatred in him. Even then by praising the virtues and sanctity of God who is vītarāga, the mind will be free from evil thoughts. As such the soul will be free from the shackles of sin. This is the gist of the above sloka.
in another context also the same opinion is expressed : While viewing the images of Arhantas, one praises their virtues. By the remembrance of Arhantas one refrains from the present sins and evils. Jina's image will lead to the realisation of ultimate Purusārtha. "Even though the eternal knowledge and eternal philosophy of Jincśvara are not present in the Arhanta and Siddha images, they are the means to reach the goal. By concentrated meditation one can achieve Samyag jñana - Darsana. This gives rise to Samvara of the present karinas and nirjara of past bound karinas. For the realisation of the values of the soul, one should always practise caitya bhakti --- devotion to the caitya. (Jinendrakoşa No. 3). Thus as per Vyavahāranaya, jinabhakti and pūjā are very essential to mortals for purification.
In the background of pūja / worship, devoted dedication is essential, without which pūja will be futile. If you prostrate before Jinendra Bhagavān without devotion, such pūjā will become useless, because even by sprinkling nectar/amrta on stone, lotus will not blossom. Great emphasis is laid on this aspect by scholars (Bodhapāhuda - commentary 162/302). In the Jaina scriptures great importance is attached to right worship based on right philosophy.
There are sufficient evidences in the legends and history for the growth of worship of image or idol in Jain culture from time immemorial. (Sthānakas, a Jain sect, are not worshippers of images, but they are the worshippers of agamas).
Details are available in Jain Purāņas about natural (akrtrima) and artificial (krtrima) caityālayas. There are references to caityālayas in Nandiśvara Island and Pancameru Mountain. Jain puraņas speak about Emperor Bharata who constucted artificial caiatyalaya and in
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