Jain Journal 2002 10

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

Page 40

Dr. Saraswathi: Basadis:Modes of Worship
107
Pancanga and aṣṭānga namaskāra are prescribed for men only. Munis and women are prohibited from performing aṣṭanga and pancānga namaskāras.
Generally the śravaka finishes his morning functions, takes bath, wears washed cloths, in the pure state of mind, goes to the basadi with water, gandha, flowers etc, in a plate. Standing outside the basadi, offers namaskāra to Bhagavān with devotion, goes round the basadi clockwise and then enters the basadi. Then chants darsanastotra.
“darśnam dēvadēvasya darśanam pāpanāśanam. darsanam svargasõpānam darsanam mokṣasadhanam"
"O God of gods, by the mere darsana of you all my sins will be washed away and it paves the way for reaching heaven and attaining mokşa."
Thereafter the śravaka prostrates and sits on a wooden seat before the image arranging before him on another wooden seat symbols of pañcaparamēṣṭhī navadēvatas / nandīśvara dvipa etc. And lays aksta punja. On the aksta he draws a crescent and in the centre one constellation.. In the svastika the 4 parts stand for the four states. The three punjas above it stand for Ratnatraya. The crescent with the punja is indicative of mokṣa-salvation which is aimed at. With deep devotion he lays down on them fruits and flowers. This mode of meditation is a part of pujavidhi. Then counts beads 108 times performing japa of panca parameṣthi. There are five major forms of worship : Ahvahana sthapana, sannidhikarana, pūjana and visarjana. * Ahvāhana` is invocation to the diety of worship - this is done by holding the palm upwards and bringing the big thumb below other thumbs and chanting 'atra chi chi By downward hastamudrā of āhvāhana, by chanting *atra svasthāne tistha, tistha....... mantra, the diety is installed.
Thereafter the śravaka brings both the palms in the form of fist with the big thumbs pointing upwards, and chants, ‘atra mama sannihito bhava' and does sannidhikarana. After the pūjā visarjana process will be performed. Pūjā will be completed by chanting "svasthanam gacchatha". These rituals are called 'pañcopacāra. This ritual is assigned to the worship of Jinendra.
The ritual of pūjā commences with abhiṣcka and the daily abhişcka is performed by the purohita. The others will be its viewers. The pujaka wears 'gandha' on his forehead and assumes himself as Indra. He visualises Indra's abhiṣēka in Janmābhiṣēka kalyāṇa and also the replica of Jina Balaka in that Jina image, performs daily wor