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Jain Theism
pure, either by boiling or by the use of a “sterilizing" substance such as cloves. (It is thought that nonsterile water still harbors water- bodies; its use should therefore, entail violence, making unfit for a sacred act.) While engaging in Abhiseka, the devotee visualizes himself as Sakra (a Sandalwood paste mark on his forehead signifies this role); thus his action becomes, as in the Pañcakalyāņa ceremony, are-enactment of the baby Jina's ritual bath atop mount Meru After the holy water, he pours sandalwood paste and milk over the image: the latter substance reminds him of the pure, milky-white color which suffuses the Jina's body as he sits in the Samavasarana. The Abhiseka is concluded with purified water and a shower of blossomes.
Thereafter, the worshipper wipes the image dry and begins the second phase of Dev-Pūjā, a ritual called Arcană invoking the name of the particular Tirtharkara" represented he pays homage by offering up eight substances : (1) Water (Jala), for the attainment of cleanliness
Sandalwood paste (Candana), for the attainment of purity (3) Uncooked rice (Aksata), for the attainment of immortality
Flowers (Puspa), for the attainment of freedom from passion (5) Sweets (Caru), for the attainment of contentment (6) A lamp or camphor light (Dipa), for the attainment of
omniscience (7) Incense (Dhupa), for the attainment of the great fame, and
(8) Fruits (Phala), for the attainment of fiuit of liberation, Moksa. Next, small amount of all eight substances are offered together on a single plate. This gesture, called Arghya, completes the second portion of the Pūjā.
The third involves a recitation known as Jayanālā, the garland of victory. Here, one repeats the names of all twenty-four Tirthankaras, sits in silence for a few moments, and then chants the Namaskāra litany as he did prior to beginning the entire ceremony
At last the worshipper moves to the fourth and final portion of Deva-Pujā, a waving of lamps before the image; this process is designated by the term Arati (Sanskrit Arātrika). having thus completed his worship, the lay devotee returns home and takes his first food of the day."16
16.
Jaini P. S., The Jain Path of Purificaiton, (1979), P. 199-201.
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