Jain Journal 2002 10

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

Page 38

Dr. Saraswathi : Basadis:Modes of Worship
105 them. There will be one Sāsana Raksaka Deva and Devi (Yakşa-Yaksi) for cach of the 24 Tīrthankaras. On the pedestal of Vitarāga Bhagavān, the place of these Yaksa-Yaksi will be at his feet. At the time of Arhanta Bhagavān preaches or will be present in all the glory, the Yaksa will appear on the right and the Yakși on the left side. As they are Samyagdrsțis of the devoices of Jina they are worshipped.
Those who are empowered to offer pūjā in the Basadis are called Püjaka or Purohita (Priest).
They should be well-versed in the Āgamas, have self-control and right mindedness. The hymns and slokas have to be pronounced correctly and clearly. A class of persons who possess certain virtues and attainments and have been trained in that line are the Purohita Class.
Umāsvāti Acārya, in his work, Srāvakācāra, states: one who performs pūjā should wear antariya (dhoti), and uttarīya (upper cloth), which should be clean white cloth, He should have a sacred thread (Yajnopavīta) and Sikhā (tuff of hair in his head.) The srāvaka and srāvaki sit before the Jina image and participate in cightfold mode of worship (Astavidhārcana). It is not stated anywhere for the women to touch the Jina bimba and perform pūjā or abhişcka. But they are allowed to perforin abhişēka on the occasion of pancakalyāņa mahotsava. It inay be noticed that before explaining the mode of daily worship, some points have to be bornc in mind about pancanarnaskāra mantra and vandanā :
ווס
namo Arihantānam ņam) Siddhānam, ņamo ayāriyāņai ņamo uvajjhāyāņam ņamo loye savvasähuņam
This pancamantra is the primary mantra of the Jains. 'Om' is the bijaksara mantra which is formed from the first syllable of the pancaparamēşthi group thus:
a - arihantā= Arihantas aa- sarīrā
Siddhas Iriyā = Acārya vu - vajyayā= Upadhyāya m - mu-niņo= Sādhus
Om mantra is formed by arranging in order the first syllables of the above five nouns.