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IRAVEL
WHAT DO THE ACTIVITES MEAN?
WHY SO MANY SUBSTANCES FOR ANOINTING THE STATUE?
In everyday life most pujas are carried out with purified water but one of the most spectacular aspects of the Mahamasthakabhishekha is the vast array of colours and substances which make up the atmosphere of the festival. So why so many? Panchamruta Abhisheka itself means 'anointing and bathing with five nectars'. Traditionally these the nectars are milk, curd, ghee, sugarcane juice, and sandal wood paste with saffron and have always been most popular among Jains in southern part of India.
Over the years 15 substances have been used for the Shravanabelgola ceremony. Coconut water, almonds, dates, milk, curd, vermilion mixed water, ghee, sandal flowers, turmeric, saffron, petals, precious stones, gold/ silver are now included!
Scholars do disagree on the reasoning behind the substances but the most rational explanation is that the variety and beauty of this type of grand scale puja expresses a variety and beauty of reverence on a scale that only befits Lord Bahubali!
NUMBER MAGIC
WHY EVERY 12 YEARS?
A 12 year gap is mentioned as positive in Jain scriptures and was instructed by the installer Chamundaraya. It must also be noted that celebrations on such a magnitude undoubtedly take many years of preparation! 2006 is a particularly lucky Mahamasthakabhishekha as it comes
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after a 13 year gap, perhaps the first known. The extended gap was due to the persistent droughts from 2001 to 2003 in the state.
WHY 108 AND 1008?
The number 108 is derived from a formula based on theories in Jain scriptures:
There are 4 kinds of Kashayas (passions)
These come into our life in 3 ways - thought, speech and body
There are 3 aspects of passions - acting with passion our selves, acting with others and instigating/encouraging others to do so.
It takes 3 steps for an act to take place -Resolution, start, and execution. Therefore the formula used is 4x3x3x3 = 108
So 108 is the number of ways a human being can indulge in impure activities. Each way must be closed to the influx of bad karmas. With this reasoning 108 Kalashas of pure water are poured on Jina idols just to achieve the purification of our body and soul.
1008 is an equally auspicious number for Jains, again, it is described in Jain scriptures that after gaining enlightenment each Tirthankara is so omniscient that he/she can be worshipped by devotees with 1008 different names. The pouring of 1008 Kalashas becomes a ritualistic way of showing the highest form of respect to the concept of enlightenment and is repeated for 7 days of the festival.
Dr. Devendra Kumar Jain is a scholar based in Mumbai.
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