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from South India. Apart from the observance of Ashtamulagunas, whicn in fat includes Jalagalana and Ratribhojanatyaga, the most common rites seem to be Devadarśana, Devapuia, Sāmāyika and Svadhyāya.
35. JAINA SAṀSKARAS
The Jaina Acharyas or law givers have prescribed a number of ceremonies through which a layman should pass during his lifetime so that he can lead his life according to religious injunctions. These ceremonies which are supposed to have been approved by the religion are known as Samskaras or Sacraments. Every Jaina is required to go through them at proper age and time. While describing the Jaina samskaras it has already been noted that the Digambaras and the Svetambaras have their own Samskaras.25 With a view to ascertain how many of these Samskaras are performed by the Jainas at present, the question number 36 was asked. From the replies it will be seen that many Jainas have not answered this question and some state that they do not perform any Samskāra at all. This shows that many Jainas are ignorant about the Samskāras because even though they perform marriage and other ceremonies which come under the category of Samskaras, they do not seem to know that these ceremonies in fact are the Samskaras prescribed by their religion. Among those who have answered the question, very few persons only state the specific names of Samskaras which they perform, while all others mention that they perform all Jaina Samskaras Digambara or Svetambara Samskaras, as the case may be or only those which are current in the locality. Out of the sixteen Digambara and sixteen Svetaṁbara Samskaras the names of Sainskāras, which are stated to be usually observed by both the sections in different parts of the country, are as follows- Namakaraṇa, Upanayana, Vivaha and Antya or Marana.
The Vivaha Samskara or marriage ceremony is one of the most important Samskaras performed by the Jainas. Taking into account the significance attached to this Samskara, the Jaina Acharyas or law givers have prescribed a detailed ceremony for the purpose.26 With a view to know whether Jainas perform the marriage ceremony according to Jaina ritual - Digambara or Śvetambara. as the case may be - or not, the question number 37:
