Ashtaprakari Navang Tilak Ka Rahasya Chintan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashtaprakari Navang Tilak ka Rahasya Chintan" by Bhuvanbhanusuri, based on the provided pages:

Title: Ashtaprakari Navang Tilak ka Rahasya Chintan (A Contemplation on the Mystery of the Eight-Fold Worship and Nine-Angled Tilak) Author: Acharya Shri Vijay Bhuvanbhanusurishwarji Maharaj Saheb Publisher: Divya Darshan Trust

Core Message:

The book emphasizes that Jain worship, specifically the eight-fold ritualistic puja (Ashtaprakari Puja) and the application of tilak on nine specific body parts of the deity (Navang Tilak), is not merely an outward ritual. Its true significance lies in the inner devotional feeling (bhava) and the contemplation of the divine qualities it represents. Without this inner connection, the actions are like "extracted sugarcane without juice." The aim is to transform external worship into an internal spiritual experience that leads to self-realization and ultimately, liberation (moksha).

Key Concepts and Sections:

1. The Importance of Bhava (Inner Feeling):

• The text strongly contrasts ritualistic action without devotion versus even a small action filled with devotion.
• True worship is a powerful means to cultivate profound inner states that cannot be achieved through mundane activities.
• The author laments the "miserable state" of performing rituals without coloring the heart with devotion, even when the opportunity (the idol) is present.

2. The Significance of Offering Wealth (Dravya Puja):

• Offering even a small amount of wealth to the Lord is considered "imperishable wealth" (akshaya lakshmi).
• The example of Maharaja Kumarpal is cited, who offered only five cowries in poverty but received immense blessings, including kingdoms, adherence to vows, and ultimately, the path to liberation.
• The aspiration should be that one's wealth, offered to the "Lord of the Three Worlds," leads to the growth of "self-wealth" (atma lakshmi) and ultimately, the "imperishable wealth of moksha."

3. The Eight-Fold Worship (Ashtaprakari Puja) and its Contemplations:

The book details the spiritual significance and intended contemplative focus for each of the eight components of the puja:

• Vashksep Puja (Sprinkling Perfumed Powder): This ritual symbolizes the aspiration for the soul to be filled with fragrance (good qualities) and to eradicate "bad fragrances" (kusanas) like desires, attachments, anger, ego, and following the crowd.
• Abhishek Puja (Anointing with Water): This represents establishing the Lord as the King on the "throne of the heart," replacing the dominion of "Moha" (attachment/delusion). It signifies surrendering one's life to the Lord's command.
• Chandan Puja (Applying Sandalwood Paste): Symbolizes maintaining coolness and fragrance (virtues like chastity and restraint) even when facing the "fire of temptations" and being "ground" by adversity.
• Pushpa Puja (Offering Flowers): Represents the aspiration to have a "good, peaceful, and altruistic mind" (sumanas) and to fill every corner of the soul with virtues and good deeds, while developing dislike for vices.
• Dhoop Puja (Offering Incense): The upward-rising smoke symbolizes directing one's thoughts towards noble aspirations like devotion, compassion, and forgiveness, rather than descending into anger or attachment. It also symbolizes the removal of the "stench of false beliefs" (mithyatva) and the spread of the fragrance of right faith (samyaktva).
• Deepak Puja (Offering a Lamp): The lamp's light signifies the desire for pure, illuminating knowledge (samya-jnana) and the aspiration to become a beacon of light for others. It also symbolizes remembrance of the Lord's omniscience (kevalgyan).
• Akshat Puja (Offering Unbroken Rice): Represents the aspiration for the soul to become "unbroken" and not sprout new seeds of birth. It symbolizes the attainment of the "imperishable state" (akshaya pad).
• Naivedya Puja (Offering Food): Symbolizes detachment from worldly pleasures and delicacies, and the aspiration to attain the "foodless state" (anahari pad) or liberation, free from the cycle of eating and rebirth.
• Phal Puja (Offering Fruit): Represents the aspiration to reach the "final ripe state" of the soul, the state of the Supreme Soul (Paramatma-dasha), and to fulfill all worldly desires.

4. The Mystery of the Nine-Angled Tilak (Navang Tilak):

This section elaborates on the specific contemplation to be done while applying tilak on nine different parts of the deity's body. Each application is linked to a specific virtue or aspiration:

• Thumb (Angutha): To receive the "current" of the Lord's pure, selfless state, eradicating one's own afflictions (rag, dwesh, trishna) and to cultivate humility.
• Knees (Ghutanu): To gain the strength for continuous meditation and practice of austerities (kayotsarg and dhyana), even in difficult circumstances.
• Fingers/Hands (Kaande): To receive the power of generosity and the desire to practice charity, overcoming attachment to wealth.
• Shoulders (Kandhe): To eradicate pride and arrogance, cultivating humility and recognizing the Lord's immense strength which was never used for ego.
• Forehead (Mastak): To attain the eternal abode of the liberated souls (Siddhashila) and to achieve inner peace and happiness through meditation.
• Forehead/Brow (Lalat): To become a true devotee, always following the Lord's commands, and to be worthy of worship by all.
• Throat (Kanth): To develop a compassionate voice that benefits others and to cultivate a spirit of selfless service (paropkar vritti).
• Heart (Hriday): To burn away all passions (rag-dwesh) and to attain peace, contentment, and the wealth of knowledge.
• Navel (Nabhi): To awaken the latent virtues within the soul and to expand them throughout, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and radiating the light of right faith.

5. Contemplation of the Arihant's Qualities:

The book encourages profound reflection on the physical and spiritual attributes of the Arihant (the perfected soul) as seen in their idol. This includes contemplating:

• The mouth: Its purity, free from gossip and negativity, and its role in delivering profound spiritual teachings.
• The nose: Its indifference to smells, signifying detachment.
• The eyes: Their calmness, compassion, and reflection of inner bliss.
• The ears: Their ability to disregard malicious talk and focus on virtue.
• The body: Its absence of sinful actions and its purpose in liberating beings.
• The Arihant's qualities are compared to various beneficial elements like the moon, sun, cloud, fire, wind, mirror, medicine, lamp, wish-fulfilling jewel, and nectar, highlighting their purifying and liberating power.

6. The Glory of Chanting the Name of the Tirthankaras:

The text lists numerous benefits of chanting the holy names of the Tirthankaras, including:

• Gaining the merit of millions of austerities.
• Fulfilling all desires.
• Success in life.
• Removal of obstacles.
• Attaining auspiciousness and welfare.
• Gaining victory, fame, and respect.
• Achieving joy, prosperity, and liberation.
• The names are described as a treasure, a wish-fulfilling tree, and an elixir.

7. Contemplation of the Arihant's Three States:

After the puja, it is recommended to contemplate the Arihant in their three states:

• Pindastha (Embodied State): Reflecting on their birth, reign (despite worldly riches, maintaining detachment), and ascetic life (charity, austerities, equanimity).
• Padhastha (State of Dignity/Status): Contemplating the Tirthankara's inherent qualities, the thirty-five virtues, the eight unique privileges (ashta pratitharyas), and the establishment of the four-fold Jain community.
• Rupateeta (Formless State): Meditating on the liberated soul's state of pure consciousness, free from all karmas, devoid of a physical body, and residing in eternal bliss and knowledge.

Conclusion:

The book ultimately guides the reader to understand that true Jain worship is a path of inner transformation. By engaging in the Ashtaprakari Puja and Navang Tilak with deep contemplation and heartfelt devotion, one can cultivate virtues, purify the mind, and progress towards the ultimate goal of soul liberation. The consistent practice of these rituals, coupled with a deep understanding of their underlying meanings, leads to a richer spiritual life and a closer connection with the divine.