Jain Journal 2002 10

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

Page 41

108
JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XXXVII, NO. 2 OCT, 2002
ship and abhişēka with water, gandha and milk and finally by performing japa.
Abhiseka includes padya, acamana and nīrājana. Letting water fall from the spout at the foot of the image is 'padya'. onto the right hand is acamana and offering bhasma etc, is 'nīrājana'.
After abhiṣēka the purohita dries the image with a clean piece of cloth and then commences the pūjā ritual. Invokes the Tirthankaras whom he worships and offers them aṣṭadravya. Even the devotees who have joined the congregation, worship the image with aṣṭadravya brought by them from their houses.
Aṣṭavidharcana (eightfold worship) commences : 1. to overcome birth and death 2. to get free from worldly desires
with water
3. to secure akṣaya pada (salvation) 4. to destroy lust and physical desires
..with gandha with akṣata ...with flowers .with caru
5. to protect from diseases
6. to destroy moha which darkens the mind............with dipa 7. to burn aṣṭakarma with dhūpa and 8. for attainment of mokṣa (salvation) Thus in the background of these ideas the 'astadravyas' are offered which are indicative and symbolic of the ideas.
with fruits
In the end all the eight dravyas are collectively offered for attainment of the invaluable in the form of arghya. Finally for the sake of world peace santyādhāra and for eternal joy puṣpāñjali are offered.
Jinendra Bhagavan and Gaṇadharas are worshipped first and then the Yakṣa and Yakşî's are worshipped. In the basadis the installed Yakṣa and Yakṣis are also worshipped. They are offered 'ṣoḍaśa upacara (sixteen-fold worship). But they are not offered the rituals of abhişēka.
Şoḍaśopacara pūjā consists of: 1. Avahana - invoking
2. Sthāpanā - installing the image
3. Sannidhikarana - prayer to attain nearness
4. Havirdāna - offering ghee (clarified butter)
5. Arghya offering akṣata, incense, flowers & fruits
6. Padya - pouring water through spout on the foot of the
divine image
7. Gandha offering candana paste