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THE WAY OF LIFE existence in hell). The Swastik symbolises these four Gatis or states of existence. After making the design of the Swastik in front of the Paramatma, we should entreat the Paramatma thus, "Oh Lord, I desire to be liberated from this samsar comprising these four states. In accordance with your command, I will adore and attain the right darshan (vision), the right Jnana (enlightenment), and the right charitra (character). The three heaps of holy grains of rice symbolise these three principles. They are placed above the Swastik. The crescent-shaped Siddhashila is a symbol of moksha or salvation. This is designed above the three heaps of the holy grains of rice. After designing the Siddhashila, there should emerge in us, the aspiration for the spiritual elevation to the supreme state of moksha or Akshayapada.
Do you not desire Akshayapada ? Akshayapad is the purest state of the soul. After the soul attains the state of Supreme purity, that state is endless and is never lost. It is called Akshaya because it is imperishable and everlasting.
While performing the Akshatapuja, you must have this feeling, “May I be liberated from the samsar and may I attain to the eternal state on Siddhashila”. In order to strengthen this feeling, you must place above the Swastik some Naivedya (sweets).
THE SEVENTH WORSHIP IS THE NAIVEDYAPUJA (OFFERING FOOD)
The swastik is a symbol of the Samsar and Naivedya is the symbol of the bondage of samsar. Samsar goes on because we eat food. The desire for food which is called Aahar Samjna is the strongest bondage of Samsar. In order to discard this bondage we offer Naivedyapuja. While offering this worship, we must make this entreaty to the Lord : "Oh you ocean of supreme compassion! I am offering you Naivedya because I want to discard food and because, I want to be an Anahari (one who does not eat food). Grace me with the power of discarding food. I want to become an Anahari."
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