Ashtapad Tirth Puja - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashtapad Tirth Puja" by Vallabhvijay, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Significance:

The "Ashtapad Tirth Puja" is a detailed guide for performing a ritualistic worship (Puja) dedicated to the Ashtapad Tirth, a significant holy site in Jainism. The text outlines the entire process, from the necessary materials to the specific mantras and hymns to be recited. The central theme is the reverence for the twenty-four Tirthankaras (Jain spiritual leaders) and their associated virtues, emphasizing the pursuit of liberation (Moksha) and spiritual merit.

Key Components and Structure:

The book appears to be structured as a manual for conducting a elaborate puja, likely for a special occasion or festival. The core elements include:

Introduction and Sponsorship: The initial pages identify the sponsors and contributors, highlighting the dedication and devotional spirit behind the publication. The publisher is the Hansvijayji Free Library, and the text is presented as part of the Shree Yashovijayji Jain Granthmala.
Description of Ashtapad Tirth: Although not extensively detailed in these pages, the text implicitly refers to Ashtapad as a sacred mountain or sacred site, often associated with Mount Kailash. It is a place where many Tirthankaras and enlightened beings attained liberation.
Materials for Puja (Ashta Prakari Puja): A significant portion of the text (Page 4-5) lists an extensive array of items required for the worship. This includes:
- Idols/Images: Representations of the 24 Tirthankaras.
- Worship Implements: Chhatra (umbrella), Chamaras (fly-whisks), thrones, basins, lamps, various vessels, flowers, garlands, plates, etc.
- Offerings: Milk, Panchamrut (a mixture of five items), sweets (Pedha, Ladoo, Puri, Khaja), fruits, sugarcane, rice, saffron, incense, camphor, etc.
- Ritualistic Items: Water pots, sandalwood, kumkum, abeer, incense sticks, lamps, camphor, etc.
- Construction Materials (for a temporary representation): Bricks, mud, paints in five colors for creating a replica of the Ashtapad mountain.
Construction of the Ashtapad Mountain (Representation): The text (Page 5) provides instructions on how to build a physical representation of the Ashtapad mountain, typically for temple festivals. This involves creating a circular platform, layering it with mud and bricks, and decorating it with various colors. The mountain is then adorned with a throne and idols of the Tirthankaras are placed in specific directions.
The Ritualistic Procedure (Puja Vidhi): The core of the book details the step-by-step process of the puja. This involves:
- Seating of Participants: Sixteen couples (sapatnik) are designated as "Snātries" (those who perform the ritual bathing and worship) and are seated in four groups of four couples each.
- Invocation and Installation of Tirthankaras: Specific mantras and mudras (hand gestures) are used to invoke and install the idols of the Tirthankaras. The Tirthankaras are arranged according to their directional placement on the Ashtapad mountain (East, South, West, North).
- Worship with Eightfold Offerings (Ashta Dravya Puja): Each group of participants performs the worship using the prepared materials. This involves offering water, sandalwood, flowers, incense, lamps, unbroken rice (Akshat), fruits, and food offerings (Naivedya) to the Tirthankara idols.
- Aarti (Waving of Lamps): After the offerings, a devotional song (Aarti) is sung while waving lamps before the idols. The text includes several verses of the Aarti, praising the Tirthankaras and their virtues.
- Recitation of Mantras: Specific Sanskrit mantras are provided for invocation, installation, and appeasement. These are crucial for invoking divine presence and blessings.
- The Twenty-Four Tirthankaras: The text systematically lists the Tirthankaras assigned to each direction (East: Rishabh, Ajit; South: Sambhav, Abhinandan, Sumati, Padmaprabha; West: Suparshva, Chandraprabha, Suvidhi, Sheetala, Shreyamsa, Vasupujya, Vimala, Ananta; North: Dharma, Shanti, Kunkthu, Ar, Malli, Munisuvrata, Nami, Nemi, Parshva, Vardhamana).
- Concluding Rites: After the individual directional pujas, a collective Aarti is performed. The puja concludes with "Khamasamana" (an act of seeking forgiveness for any errors) and bidding farewell to the deities.
Devotional Songs and Verses (Stavans and Dohar): The text includes numerous devotional songs and verses (Dohar) in Gujarati, celebrating the glory of Ashtapad Tirth, the Tirthankaras, and the merits of performing such worship. These verses often narrate the history and significance of the Tirth and the Tirthankaras.
Specific Pujas (Eightfold): The latter half of the text seems to detail specific types of worship, focusing on different offerings:
- Jal Puja (Water Worship): Page 21 onwards.
- Chandan Puja (Sandalwood Worship): Page 25 onwards.
- Pushpa Puja (Flower Worship): Page 29 onwards.
- Dhupa Puja (Incense Worship): Page 33 onwards.
- Deepak Puja (Lamp Worship): Page 36 onwards.
- Adat Puja (Unbroken Rice Worship): Page 40 onwards.
- Phala Puja (Fruit Worship): Page 43 onwards.
- Naivedya Puja (Food Offering Worship): Page 47 onwards.
Historical and Mythological Accounts: The text incorporates stories and legends related to Ashtapad Tirth, including:
- The history of King Bharata and his devotion.
- The story of King Sagara and his sons.
- The significance of the Ashtapad Tirth in the lives of various Tirthankaras and Chakravarti emperors.
- The role of Mount Meru in Tirthankara birth ceremonies.

Key Themes and Messages:

Devotion and Reverence: The primary message is the importance of devotion to the Tirthankaras and the sacredness of Ashtapad Tirth.
Spiritual Merit and Liberation: Performing the puja is presented as a means to accumulate spiritual merit, purify oneself, and progress towards liberation.
Purity and Ritualistic Correctness: The detailed instructions emphasize the need for purity in offerings and the meticulous adherence to rituals.
Unity and Community: The involvement of multiple couples (sapatnik) and the collective performance of Aarti highlight the communal aspect of Jain worship.
Historical and Spiritual Legacy: The text connects the present-day worship to the ancient history of Jainism and the profound spiritual legacy of the Tirthankaras.

Authorship and Patronage:

The work is attributed to Muni Shri Vallabhvijayji, a disciple of Acharya Shri Vijayanandsurishwarji and Shri Lakshmivijayji, and Muni Shri Harshvijayji. This indicates a lineage of Jain scholars and monks responsible for preserving and disseminating these devotional texts. The publication is a testament to the efforts of institutions like Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar and Shree Hemvijayji Free Library in preserving Jain literature.

In essence, "Ashtapad Tirth Puja" is a comprehensive liturgical manual that not only provides instructions for a specific ritual but also serves as a repository of Jain lore, devotional poetry, and the spiritual significance of Ashtapad Tirth. It aims to guide devotees in performing a meaningful and meritorious worship, leading them closer to spiritual enlightenment.