________________
DISCOURSE 11
or in the manner that has been described in the grantha, Chaityavandanabhashya ?
191
From the Audience: We have not read the great work, Chaityavandanabhashya. No one has explained it to us. We worship the Paramatma in the conventional manner merely imitating others.
Maharajashri: Whatever spiritual activity you perform, you must have a thorough knowledge of the meaning of that activity and the manner of performing it; and you must also obtain guidance from the Shastras. Many worship the Paramatma in a conventional manner imitating others. You will continue in the same manner and the result is even an irregularity becomes a regularity in your eyes. "My grand-father used to carry out worship in this manner. My father also worshipped the Lord in the same manner. Did they commit mistakes and blunders ?" Is it not possible that your grand-father and father committed mistakes? Did they know everything? Were they Vithrags? Your argument is absolutely unintelligent when you say, "My grand-father used to worship in this manner."
Jain Education International
Understand the right method in which the Angapooja (worshipping the various parts of the image) the Agrapooja (worshipping the Lord seated before him) and the Bhavapooja (worshipping the Lord by means of the emotion of devotion and meditation). First Angapooja should be performed. Secondly Agrapooja should be carried out and finally Bhavapooja should be performed. The process of offering oblations to the image, applying sandal paste and offering flowers is called Angapooja. Agrapooja is the name given to the offering of fruits, food, Akshat (holy rice grains) etc. placed before the idol. Bhavpooja is Chaityavandan or emotional worship. We have forgotten Avashachintan (contemplating on the states) in our worship. In worshipping the Paramatma, one important austerity is Avasthachintan. Avasthachintan means contemplating on the three states of the Paramatma. This has to be done after Agrapooja and before Bhavapooja. Have you done this at any time? How would you do it? Probably, you do not know what Avasthachintan is and how it has to be done.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
