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89. The
swan lamp: 90. The
lotus with hundred petals:
91. Obeisance
with the five limbs:
92. Samayika (For Jain householders):
Jain Education International
giving one to each member from individual or a group. The coconut is invariably offered in Snatra worship and major ceremonies in Jain temples. There are also devotees who place one coconut every day in the temple as an offering. While receiving a preceptor or when he comes to the house of a householder a Swastika is drawn on a low stool and on this Swastika, the coconut is placed. A coconut is placed on the Swastika figure made from rice grains before the pulpit of the Jain preceptor before the commencement of the discourse and prayers of goodwill are offered. Jains as well as others offer the coconut in the ceremonies in temples of gods and goddesses such as Lakshmiji, the goddess of wealth. The coconut is offered at the commencement of any good work. It is distributed among many with respect and as a gift to achieve the best in life. Generally the coconuts have two sealed holes but there are coconuts having one to four sealed holes as well. These three types of coconuts with one, three or four sealed holes have special significance. If they are brought at an auspicious time and kept in a right place in the house, the householder gets many benefits such as wealth, issues, fame etc. This is why the devout Indians install such a coconut with one or three sealed holes in the house and worship it. A special religious rite is prescribed for it on the eighth day of the bright half of the Chaitra month according to the Hindu Calendar. Many books and manuscripts giving information about the coconut and prescribing the rites for its worship are written by the Jain and other scholars. This edible fruit is consumed in south India on a very large scale. More information can be had from various books written by Jain and non-Jain scholars or from the preceptor.
This is a metal lamp which can be hung. It is made in Rajasthan State of India.
Here a lotus is shown with one hundred petals. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, Saraswati, goddess of learning and other goddesses are said to reside in a lotus with a hundred or a thousand petals. (For details see the explanation for symbol number 10)
This is bowing down with five limbs of the body in obeisance.
There are various methods of such obeisance in different religious for showing courtesy and modesty towards a god, a preceptor or elders.
Obeisance called Vandan in Jainism is shown as of three categories ordinary, mediocre and the best. In the technical terminology of Jainism these three categories are known as Fetta, thobha and Dwadashavarta.
1. Fetta Vandan in this type of obeisance the devotee makes a semi-bent of the body, folds both the hands, bows down the head and says Namo Jinanam to the icon of Bhagawan Tirthankara seen by him. In the same way he says 'Matthaena Vandami' when he sees the preceptor. This is an ordinary obeisance.
2. Thobha Vandan In this type of obeisance, the devotee recites Pranipat Sutra which is also called ThobhaVandan Sutra and then he lies completely prostrate with devotion before Bhagawan Tirthankara or a preceptor. While touching the floor with five limbs. According to the present code of conduct such obeisance is done with abbhutthio. This is a mediocre type of obeisance.
3. The third and the best obeisance called Dwadashavarta consists of the recitation of Suguru-Vandan means Guru Vandan Sutra with twelve avartas while bowing down in Mudra of the birth time. Deva Vandan is the major obeisence done while reciting four or eight hymns before the icon of Jin or before Sthapanacharyaji. The illustration given here show the obeisance with five limbs and is called 'Khamasamana'. It is well-known among people of all ages.
The word Samayika is composed of the Sanskrit words Sama and Aya. Sama means peace or equipoise and 'Aya' means benefit. Any rite brings basic benefits of spiritual peace and equipoise is called Samayika. A particular religious practice of the Jains is given the name 'Samayika' by the Jains. This name and the rite behind it is wellknown in every Jain home. The technique for the rite of Samayika has been prescribed. It is practised for a particular time and these instructions are given in a book called 'Pratik ramana Sutra. The duration for this rite is generally 48
minutes.
Samayika is not to be practised while wearing normal dress. The Jain wears a dhoti and a scarf, while a women wears a petticoat, blouse and a sari.
Those garments must be so simple that they don't excite temptation, attachment or possessive instinct. They must be clean and not worn while going to the toilet etc. In this rite one has to wear clean clothes and keep the mind cleanfree from all worldly thoughts and turned towards religious or spiritual thoughts and ideas. A small woollen mat is spread on the floor. The religious book is to be kept above the height of the navel and its installation should be stabilised according to prescribed rites. Then aphorisms are recited according to the prescribed rites while keeping the hands folded. In this position one should sit for 48 minutes. During those 48 minutes one has to engage himself in spiritual study, acquire religious knowledge, read philosophical books, recite Mantras, teach and learn religious books and practise introspection for self-purification. At this time one has to avoid talking or listening to all talks or thoughts about the home, the trade and coinmerce and worldly affairs. The buttocks are to be kept touching the woollen mat. One shouldn't stand up or move the body. Only when necessary the right or the left leg may be moved (without raising the buttocks). In short, during this time one has to enjoy spiritual bliss and meditate on spiritual subjects while avoiding all worldly cares. Through critical thinking one has to undertake.
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