Jain Journal 2002 10

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

Page 36

Dr. Saraswathi : Basadis: Modes of Worship
103 In Jainisin there are two modes of worship, viz, pūjā with articles and mental pūjā -i.e. dravya pujā and bhāva puja'. Praying to God with 'trikarana suddhi' (i. c., to be clean in mind, body and act) by way of praising Him is Bhāva pūjā and this is assigned to Munis or sages who lead a very austere life. But that does not incan that śrāvakas are not expected to perform bhāvapūjā. As sravaka dharma leval goes on rising higher and higher, mind will be inclined towards bhāva puja instead of towards dravya puja. Dravya puja con sists of offering sacred and clean articles i.c, by offering 'asta Dravya', viz, water, gandha, akşata, flower caru, dipa, dhūpa and fruits. The munis shun this dravya pūjā on the ground that dravya contains living beings in their minute forin and by offering the same, it causes himsā and destruction of life.
Occasions of worship are of two kinds : Nitya pūjā and Naimittika pūjā. Worship performed daily is called 'nitya pūjā' and worship performed on special occasions paying owes and oaths is called 'nainittika pūjā.
Regarding modes of worship Jinasēnācārya says: "pröktā pūjārhatāmijyā să caturthā sadārcanam : caturmukhah kalpadrumnas cāştāhnikēpi ca ::
The mode of worship of Arhanta is called 'ījyä' which consists of four incans, viz. Nityamaha, Caturmukha maha, Kalpadruma maha and Astāhnika maha.
Every day the Srāvakas offer worship in the Basadi to Jinēndra with eight fine articles like water, gandha, etc and it is called 'Nitya pūjā'. This is also terined as Sadārcana'. "Nitya maha' is woship wherein the devotec builds basadi and installs the image of Arhanta by way of gifting village or land, giving Dāna with one's ability and capacity and also worshipping the great sages. The 'mahāyajña' performed by kings is 'Caturinukha/Sarvatõbhadra Yajña'. Giving Dāna and satisfying the needs and desires of all through rulers and kings is called kalpadruma yajña . Worship performed by Dēvēndra and other Devas is called 'Indra Dhvaja Yajna'. These modes of worship are performed on particular days like 'astāhnika' in token thereof.
The modes of pūjā, i. c, the process of worship takes a spccific and regular shape on the basis of the points: whoin should one worship? With what should one worship? When should one perform pūjā?
In Jainism worship is offered first to the Arhantas/24
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