Ashtaprakari Puja - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashtaprakari Puja" by Ajaysagar, based on the provided PDF pages:

The book "Ashtaprakari Puja" by Ajaysagar outlines the Eight Types of Puja (Ashtaprakari Puja) performed in Jainism to worship the Jinendra (the supreme spiritual beings who have achieved liberation). The text emphasizes the importance of maintaining seven types of purity during the puja:

Angashuddhi (Purity of the body)
Vastra-shuddhi (Purity of clothes)
Manah-shuddhi (Purity of the mind)
Bhumishuddhi (Purity of the ground/space)
Upakaran-shuddhi (Purity of the ritual items)
Dravya-shuddhi (Purity of the offerings)
Vidhi-shuddhi (Purity of the procedure/method)

The Ashtaprakari Puja consists of eight specific offerings:

Jal Puja (Water Puja)
Chandan Puja (Sandalwood Puja)
Pushpa Puja (Flower Puja)
Dhup Puja (Incense Puja)
Deepak Puja (Lamp Puja)
Akshat Puja (Unbroken Rice Puja)
Naivedya Puja (Food Offering Puja)
Phal Puja (Fruit Puja)

The text also categorizes the puja into different types based on the aspect of worship:

Ang Puja (Body Worship): This refers to the puja performed by touching the divine form of the Lord. It is considered "Vighnopashamini Puja" (remover of obstacles) and "Mahaphal Puja" (giver of great fruits).
Agra Puja (Frontal Worship): This is the puja performed while standing in front of the Lord, including Dhup, Deepak, Akshat, Naivedya, and Phal Puja. It is considered "Abhyudayakarini Puja" (enhancer of prosperity).
Bhav Puja (Devotional Worship): This puja is performed without any material offerings and involves devotion, praise, hymns, songs, and dance. It is considered "Bhavavibhoshani Puja" (enrapturing the soul) and "Nirvattikarini Puja" (leading to liberation).

The proper order of performing these pujas is crucial: It is advised to perform Ang Puja and Agra Puja before Bhav Puja. Performing Ang Puja after Agra Puja or Bhav Puja is considered inappropriate.

The text then details the significance and procedure for each of the eight pujas:

Jal Puja (Water Puja):
- Significance: Performed to wash away the "dirt" of sinful karma. It's a prayer for purification, prosperity, and the removal of all impurities, just as water cleanses.
- Offerings: Pure water, often mixed with other pure fragrant substances, and specifically Panchamrut (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and water).
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Jalam Yajamahe Swaha." (Recited by males before each puja).
- Dohas (couplets): Recited during the offering of milk (Panchamrut) and water, highlighting the purification and liberation achieved through such worship.
Chandan Puja (Sandalwood Puja):
- Significance: To invoke inner coolness, peace, and freedom from desires. It is performed to make the soul peaceful.
- Offerings: Sandalwood paste, applied to the divine form. Specific application to nine divine parts of the body (Anga Puja).
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Chandanam Yajamahe Swaha."
- Dohas: Verses describing the cooling quality of sandalwood and its use to cool the soul.
- Nine Anga Puja (Worship of Nine Parts): Detailed descriptions and associated bhavanas (meditative contemplations) for worshipping the:
  - Thumb (Angutha) - symbolizing humility and crossing the ocean of existence.
  - Knees (Janu) - symbolizing steadfast meditation and achieving omniscience.
  - Wrists/Hands (Kalai) - symbolizing the generous donation of wealth and the gift of the RajoHaran (feather duster).
  - Shoulders (Kandha) - symbolizing detachment from pride and ego.
  - Head/Hair Lock (Mastak/Shikha) - symbolizing achieving the highest state of liberation and perpetual contemplation.
  - Forehead (Lalat) - symbolizing being worthy of worship across the three worlds and equanimity in happiness and sorrow.
  - Throat (Kantha) - symbolizing the divine speech that uplifts the world and the desire for compassionate speech.
  - Heart (Hriday) - symbolizing the eradication of attachment and aversion, and the cultivation of peace and compassion.
  - Navel (Nabhi) - symbolizing the control of breath and the manifestation of infinite knowledge and conduct.
- Bhavanas: Detailed meditations associated with each of the nine divine parts, connecting the act of worship to spiritual development and the emulation of the Lord's qualities.
Pushpa Puja (Flower Puja):
- Significance: To make the inner self fragrant, removing afflictions and suffering.
- Offerings: Fresh, fragrant, and unbroken flowers.
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Pushpam Yajamahe Swaha."
- Doha: A verse mentioning King Kumarpal's devotion leading to prosperity through flower offerings.
Dhup Puja (Incense Puja):
- Significance: To aspire for a higher spiritual state, akin to the rising incense smoke. It aims to remove the "bad odor" of false beliefs from the soul.
- Offerings: Pure and fragrant incense.
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Dhupam Yajamahe Swaha."
- Doha: A devotional song about the incense offering. This puja is performed outside the sanctum.
Deepak Puja (Lamp Puja):
- Significance: To invoke the light of omniscience within the soul, dispelling the darkness of ignorance.
- Offerings: A lamp, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance.
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Deepam Yajamahe Swaha."
- This puja is also performed outside the sanctum.
Akshat Puja (Unbroken Rice Puja):
- Significance: To pray for an unbroken existence, free from the cycle of birth and death, just as unbroken rice grains represent continuity. It signifies the aspiration for an undivided and pure soul.
- Offerings: Unbroken rice grains, arranged in specific patterns like a Swastika or a mound representing Siddhashila (the abode of liberated souls), and then Knowledge-Vision-Conduct.
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Akshatam Yajamahe Swaha."
- Dohas: Verses expressing the desire for liberation and the attainment of the Siddhashila.
Naivedya Puja (Food Offering Puja):
- Significance: To overcome the attachment to food and desires, which can lead to slumber and bondage. It's a prayer for freedom from the seven fears.
- Offerings: Pure sweets made at home, such as Mishri (rock sugar) and other pure sweets. Avoid commercial sweets or forbidden items.
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Naivedyam Yajamahe Swaha."
- Doha: Emphasizes the importance of performing this puja and following the guidance of a Guru to avoid future suffering.
Phal Puja (Fruit Puja):
- Significance: To receive the ultimate fruit of liberation (Moksha). It signifies a turning away from seeking worldly, transient fruits and a desire for the eternal, sweet fruit of Moksha.
- Offerings: Auspicious fruits like coconuts, almonds, betel nuts, and ripe fruits.
- Mantra: "Om Hreem Shreem ParamPurushaya Paramesvaraya Janma-Jara-Mrutyu-Nivaranaya Shrimate Jinendraya Phalam Yajamahe Swaha."

The text also briefly mentions other ritualistic practices like Chamar Puja (fan offering), Darpan Puja (mirror offering), and Pankha Puja (fan offering), highlighting their significance in venerating the Lord.

Throughout the text, there are numerous interspersed dohas and quotes that offer wisdom on various aspects of life, conduct, and spiritual practice, such as the importance of truth, avoiding negativity, and mindful living. The overall tone of the book is devotional and instructional, guiding the reader on how to perform these important Jain rituals with proper understanding and devotion.