Jain Society Greater Atlanta 2008 11 Pratistha

Author(s): Jain Center of Greater Atlanta
Publisher: USA Jain Center Greater Atlanta

Page 38

The placement of Shikhar Kalash signifies the best Mangal member of the Sangh takes this water to his/her residence The best Mangal is to eradicate karma, to free ourselves and sprinkles it around for the inner and external peace. from the misery of Samsar (material world); to remove of the darkness of ignorance, to practice Right Religion and Temple Dwar Opening (Inauguration), First Darshan to practice the path that is beneficial to the Self (our soul). & Puja: This is a significant and auspicious event after the This is the holiest of holy places. Adhar Abhishek Puja Pratishta of Gabhara Pratimajis. After we have Pran Pratishthit is performed before the Shikhar Kalash is placed in the (Living) Veetrag Bhagwan in our Temple; (a) to open the Dwar Shikhar. Thus, Shikhar Kalash is like a head of the temple. (door) of the temple for the first time, (b) to be the first one to
do Darshan of (see) Veetrag Bhagwan and (c) to be the first Placement of Shikhar Dhvaja signifies the kingdom of one to do Puja are the most auspicious things to do. These are our Veetrag Bhagwan who expounded the path of Moksha the rare opportunities-only a few individuals with good karma for the benefit of all living beings. It is a symbol of the (punya) can have during their lifetime. Jain Shasan- teachings of our Tirthankars. It signifies the kingdom of non-attachment and non-aversion that Shri Sattar Bhedi Puja: It is necessary to perform has always existed; it exists now and will exist forever. this Puja after the Anjan Shalaka Mahotsav or Pratishta If the teachings of Veetrag Bhagwan are followed, the Mahotsav to ask for forgiveness if any mistakes have been darkness of the ignorance will be permanently removed, encountered while performing any of the rituals during the the miserable cycle of birth and death will be permanently Mahotsav. This is always performed on the last day of the ended, the association with the foreign dust of karma will Mahotsav. be completely terminated, and the true qualities of the souls will be forever be realized. It symbolizes the everlasting Rathyatra of Tirthankar Pratimas (Bhagwan no happiness, Moksha. Adhar Abhishek Puja is performed Varghodo) - The holy Chariot procession: Rathyatra before the Shikhar Dhvaja is placed on the Shikhar. means taking the resplendent image of the Lord in a
procession, in a chariot along the main roads of the city On seeing Shikhar and/or its Dhvaja, one knows it is the or town so that all people might have a darshan of the most auspicious place, the Jain Temple. He/she pays his/her Bhagwan's radiant face. The Rathyatra is accompanied by respect to Veetrag Bhagwan by saying “Namo Jinanam" a band (of musicians and players on various instruments) and gets an inspiration to visit the Jain temple.
and by thousands of devotees, and by the fourfold society
of Jains. It is a procession of sublime radiance. It is called Shri Bruhad ShantiSnatra Poojan (Special oblation for in spoken dialect Varghoda, but its actual name is Rathyatra universal peace): Shanti Snatra Poojan has been regarded or Chaityayatra. Chaityayatra means having a darshan and as the most auspicious and beneficial Poojan. It is usually worshipping the Chaityas or temples in the City. organized on the last day of any minor or major ceremony (i.e-to conclude the Pratishta Mahotsav). On this occasion, Marriage Ceremony and Coronation Event: A marriage oblations are performed to the image of the Lord 108 times ceremony isaworldly affairandnothingtodo with the religiowith absolute devotion. During this Poojan, Shri Bruhad spiritual endeavor. But just like every event of Tirthankar Shanti consisting of 108 aphorisms is recited involving to be celebrated in a grand manner, even the marriage unique ritual process. Moreover, worship is offered to the ceremony of the Lord may ignite the light of detachment Lord with special and auspicious articles. As a beginning in the heart of the aspirant. Amidst all the grandeur and holy light is installed- Akhand Dipak; worship is offered joyful atmosphere, the Lord remains indifferent. Just to to the nine grahas (planets) - Nav Grah Poojan; and to pass the Mohaniya Karma and it's binding, he participates other divinities - Dush Dikpal Poojan and Ashta Mangal in all of the functions and formalities, but inwardly he is Poojan. On this occasion, 108 Sanskrit shlokas are chanted awakened and he remains as a witness towards everything while prakshal and Ashtaprakari Puja are performed 108 where ceremonial procedures take place as per traditional times to the Pratimaji. At this time this great wish was Indian approach. Lord becomes a King. In his Royal Court expressed: May felicity, bliss cheerfulness and holiness jubilant celebration of singing, dancing magic, dramas, prevail everywhere. This Poojan is performed for the well etc., takes place. After the nine Devas (known as Lokantika being of entire Sangh, for its spiritual growth, for its inner who are from Brahm devloka and will attain moksha in the happiness and peace, to calm down the outside disturbances next birth) request him to start his spiritual journey with and for curing uncontrollable diseases. After 108 Abhishek the distribution of wealth, money and material things to has been performed for the Pratimaji, Arati of 108 Deeva, the needy. This goes on throughout the year. Every day he Mangal Deevo, Shanti Kalash and Chaityavandan are gives away one crore and eight lakh (ten million and eight performed. After the conclusion of this Poojan, the temple hundred thousand) gold coins to the needy. is sprinkled with the holy water (Naman). In addition, each