Gyanpith Pujanjali Ek Adhyayan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Gyanpith Pujanjali Ek Adhyayan" by Lakshmichandra Saroj, focusing on the content related to the Gyanpith Pujanjali:

Book Title: Gyanpith Pujanjali Ek Adhyayan (A Study of Gyanpith Pujanjali) Author: Lakshmichandra Saroj Publisher: Z_Fulchandra_Shastri_Abhinandan_Granth_012004.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/211069/1

This scholarly analysis by Lakshmichandra Saroj, published within the felicitation volume for Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri, focuses on the significance and content of the Gyanpith Pujanjali.

Core Purpose and Philosophy of Gyanpith Pujanjali: The Gyanpith Pujanjali was created with the foundational aim of preserving and promoting the traditional Jain practices of worship, meditation, chanting, scripture recitation, and aarti. The initiators of Gyanpith recognized that these devotional activities have historically fostered religious sentiment and guided individuals towards spiritual peace. The Pujanjali aims to ensure the continuity and enrichment of this tradition.

Key Features and Content of Gyanpith Pujanjali: The Gyanpith Pujanjali strives to present pure texts (shuddha path) and enhance understanding by providing Hindi translations of Sanskrit prayers. This makes the meaning and essence of these sacred verses accessible to a wider audience.

The material is meticulously organized based on daily and occasional devotional needs. The entire compilation was expertly edited by Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri. The Pujanjali is divided into seven distinct sections:

General Puja-Path (Sanskrit-Hindi): Daily prayer and scriptural readings.
Festival Pujas etc. (Sanskrit-Hindi): Prayers and rituals specific to festivals.
Tirthankar Puja: Worship dedicated to the Tirthankaras.
Occasional Puja Path: Prayers for specific occasions or circumstances.
Adhyayan Path: Recitation of scriptural lessons or chapters.
Stotras etc. (Sanskrit-Hindi): Chanting of devotional hymns.
Aarti, Japa etc.: Ritualistic worship, repetition of mantras, and other devotional practices.

Compilation and Translation Efforts: The Sanskrit prayers within the Pujanjali were initially collected by Babu Chhote Lalji of Calcutta and then edited by Acharya N. Upadhye. Translations of some Sanskrit prayers by Dr. Lal Bahadur Shastri were also utilized. The remaining material was gathered from the Gyanpith office. Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri is credited with providing elegant and melodious Hindi translations that faithfully captured the spirit of the original Sanskrit texts. The inclusion of Sanskrit verses alongside their Hindi translations significantly highlights the importance of the Sanskrit language and the devotional sentiment embedded in the prayers.

Editorial Excellence and Scholarly Contributions: The Pujanjali is praised for its excellent editing and publication, standing out from older Jain scriptures where the distinction between prose and poetry was often blurred due to printing limitations. The author also highlights the correct attribution of authorship for the Aalochana Path to Johari Lal and the Kalyan Mandir Stotra to Kumudchandra, correcting potential misattributions to Dharamdas and Siddhsen Divakar found in some texts.

Analysis of Key Jain Concepts: The study delves into significant Jain concepts, particularly focusing on the importance and methodology of Kritikarma (acts of ritual purification/worship).

Kritikarma for Sadhus and Householders: Kritikarma is essential for both ascetics (sadhus) and householders. For ascetics, it serves to prevent attachment to worldly prosperity, fame, and personal adoration, and to purify any faults incurred during daily activities like movement and eating. For householders, whose lives are inherently prone to errors, Kritikarma is a prescribed practice.
Synonyms and Etymology of Kritikarma: The text of Moolachar provides four synonymous terms for Kritikarma: Kritikarma, Chitikarma, Pujakarma, and Vinayakarma.
- Kritikarma: Refers to the purification or cutting (chidhyate) of the eight types of karmas (like ignorance-causing karma) through mental, verbal (uttering syllables), and physical actions (like bowing).
- Chitikarma: It is called Chitikarma as it leads to the accumulation of merit (punya).
- Pujakarma: It is also known as Pujakarma because it involves the worship of the twenty-four Tirthankaras, the Panch Parmeshthis, and others.
- Vinayakarma: It is termed Vinayakarma due to the expression of profound reverence (vinaya). The etymology of vinaya is given as "disposal" or "removal" (viniyate nirakriyate), indicating the destruction of karmas through their manifestation and subsequent dissolution.
- Overall: Kritikarma is a cause of karmic shedding (nirjara), a means of accumulating great merit, and the root of the virtue of reverence. It should be performed diligently by both ascetics and householders without negligence.
Discussion on Invocation, Establishment, and Dissolution: Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri raises important points regarding the Jain tradition of sthapana nikshep (the act of symbolically placing deities or sacred items). He questions the necessity of invocation (aahvan) and other rituals when a direct idol of the Jina is present. He also probes the concept of dissolution (visarjan), noting that in Jainism, no external entity "comes" or "accepts" offerings, making the traditional act of dissolution debatable. He supports this by comparing dissolution mantras with similar verses found in Brahmanical traditions.

Analysis of Translated Verses: The study provides translations of several key verses found in the Pujanjali, illustrating the devotional content and the quality of the translations. These include verses from:

Mangalashtak (on the Three Jewels)
Drushtashtak Stotra (on seeing the Jin temple)
Laghu Abhishek Path (on revering the Jinas)
Nitya Puja Argh Shlok (on offering worship)
Nitya Puja Muni Stavana (on the blessings of sages)
Dev Shastra Guru Puja (on revering the Trikala Dev, Guru, and Dharma)
Dev Shastra Guru Puja ki Jaymala (on the path of ascetics)
Siddh Puja Bhavashtak (on worshipping the Siddhas)
Shodashkaran Puja (on consecration and the propagation of the right path)
Dashlakshan Puja Gatha (on the virtue of truth)

The author commends the translations for their accuracy, absence of unnecessary elaboration or brevity, and the evident influence of Sanskrit stylistic nuances.

Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri's Vision and Legacy: The reviewer emphasizes the profound effort invested by Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri in creating the Gyanpith Pujanjali. His introductory discourse in the first edition is described as insightful and thought-provoking, offering guidance that remains relevant for awakening the Jain community today.

Panditji's concluding thoughts highlight a crucial aspect: the need to reincorporate the essential elements of kritikarma that may have been omitted in contemporary worship practices. He also suggests rectifying elements that might have entered the rituals based on consecration (pratishtha) texts, as there is a fundamental difference in purpose between consecrating an idol and worshipping an idol as a living Jina.

Conclusion: The Gyanpith Pujanjali is deemed a strong and significant step in its direction, with much of its success attributed to Pandit Phoolchandra Siddhantashastri's expertise. His independent commentaries on Jain scriptures showcase his high level of scholarship. The study concludes by asserting that such compilations are valuable and that Jain scholars should continue to produce research-oriented discussions on Jain worship practices, paving the way for future advancements in this field.