Jain Darshan Pooja

This document, "Jain Darshan Pooja," by Naynesh, is a guide to performing Jain worship rituals (pooja) correctly and respectfully in a temple. It primarily focuses on the "Vidhi" (proper procedure) and lists various "Avidhi" (improper procedures) for different aspects of temple worship.

Here's a breakdown of the key areas covered:

Page 1 & 2: Introduction and Foundational Principles

• Purpose: The book emphasizes that Jain bhakti (devotion) is the foundation for spiritual upliftment. It aims to clarify the correct procedures for visiting and worshipping in a Jain temple to ensure the experience is uplifting and brings mental peace.
• Key Concepts:
  • Pranamatrik (Three Types of Salutations): Anjali-baddha pranama (folded hands), Avanata pranama (bowing), and Panchanga pranipata pranama (prostration).
  • Nisihitrik (Three Nisihithas): Statements to be made at the main entrance, before entering the inner sanctum, and before performing Chaitryavandan.
  • Pradakshinātrik (Three Circumambulations): Performing three circumambulations before Darshan or Pooja for the attainment of knowledge, conduct, and character.
  • Pooja Types: Anga Pooja (worship of limbs), Agra Pooja (primary worship like Dhup, Deep, Akshat), and Bhav Pooja (mental devotion like Chaitryavandan).
  • Avasthātrik (Three States of Consciousness): Pindastha, Padashtha, and Rupatita, which should be meditated upon.
  • Pramārjānatrik (Threefold Cleaning): Cleaning the ground three times before Chaitryavandan.
  • Dishātyāgatrik (Renouncing Directions): Renouncing two directions when performing Chaitryavandan, facing only three.
  • Ālambanatrik (Three Supports): Sutra, Atha, and Pratimā Ālambana for Chaitryavandan.
  • Mudrātrik (Three Mudras): Yoga Mudra, Muktashukti Mudra, and Jin-Kaussarg Mudra for chanting specific mantras.
  • Manah-pranidhanatrik (Threefold Concentration): Concentration of mind, speech, and body during Chaitryavandan.
• Materials to Bring: Essential items like Panchamrita ingredients, Abhishek materials, Chandan, Pushpa, Dhup, Deepak, etc., made of gold, silver, copper, brass, or German silver are recommended.
• Materials Not to Bring: Prohibited items include biscuits, mints, chocolates, unauthorized sweets, fruits, perfumed flowers, paan masala, cigarettes, packets, gutka, medicines, lunch boxes, and certain personal care items like balms or ointments.
• Diversity of Opinions: The text acknowledges that there might be differing opinions on the exact rituals and advises followers to seek guidance from their respected Gurubhagwants.
• Five Abhigam (Approaches/Respects): Renouncing the use of living things, accepting only non-living items, wearing a 'Khes' (shawl), joining hands in prayer, and concentrating the mind, speech, and body on devotion.

Pages 3-7: Detailed List of Improper Rituals (Avidhi)

This section forms the bulk of the text and meticulously lists incorrect practices for various aspects of temple worship, including:

• Wearing Pooja Clothes: Incorrect ways of wearing the Khes, using too much clothing, men using handkerchiefs while women shouldn't, wearing clothes that expose the body, using soiled clothes, wearing clothes used for other purposes, using clothes for Samayik, eating/drinking in Pooja clothes, not washing Pooja clothes, and sisters wearing Punjabi dresses.
• Washing Feet: Washing feet under a tap, using stagnant water, washing feet where the water goes to Nigaud (low-level beings), leaving the water vessel open, and excessive rubbing of feet.
• Entering the Temple: Not joining hands or chanting "Namo Jinanam" upon seeing the Lord, entering while talking or without bowing, bringing food items or school bags, and not saying the first Nisihith.
• Bell Ringing: Ringing the bell at the wrong times, ringing it too loudly, or ringing it excessively, disturbing others' devotion.
• Circumambulation: Not performing circumambulations, doing them only once or twice, performing them after Pooja, turning the wrong way, performing them without Pooja items, and talking during circumambulations.
• Chanting Stutis: Going near the idol after completing circumambulations, bowing to the Lord improperly, standing in the wrong place, leaning on pillars, mumbling prayers, or chanting with incorrect pronunciation.
• Wearing Mukhkosh (Face Covering): Not folding the Khes properly, folding a handkerchief in two, wearing the Mukhkosh below the nose, and talking after wearing it.
• Grinding Chandan (Sandalwood): Not grinding it oneself, grinding without a Mukhkosh, talking while grinding, and using impure ingredients.
• Removing Nirmalya (Used Flowers/Offerings): Removing Nirmalya with hands or nails, performing Abhishek without removing Nirmalya, and neglecting the task to engage in other activities.
• Abhishek (Bathing the Idol): Using unclean water, making Panchamrita with wrong proportions, bathing with one hand while holding the pot with the other, chanting loudly or talking during Abhishek, and pushing through crowds.
• Angaluchhan (Wiping the Idol): Mukhkosh slipping down, performing fewer than three Angaluchhan, talking while doing it, not cleaning the Angaluchhan regularly, washing them in inappropriate places, throwing them on the ground, using them for other purposes, and using them for Deities.
• Vilepan (Applying Paste): Using any substance, applying with the left hand or nails, applying without a Mukhkosh, talking while applying, applying to soiled parts, and scratching oneself before application.
• Chandan Pooja (Sandalwood Worship): Talking, yawning, touching the idol with body parts other than fingers or clothes, Mukhkosh not covering the nose properly, not performing Pooja on all nine parts, and performing Pooja with any finger.
• Pushpa Pooja (Flower Worship): Offering scentless, old, insignificant, or plastic flowers, covering the idol's face with flowers, offering fallen or trampled flowers, and breaking petals.
• Dev-Devi Pooja (Worship of Other Deities): Using the ring finger for all nine parts, using the same Chandan for other deities and the main idol, not wearing a Mukhkosh, making motifs in front of other deities, and not offering money to their treasuries.
• Dhup Pooja (Incense Worship): Lighting too many incense sticks, holding them during worship, not chanting the relevant couplet, talking while performing it, performing it inside the sanctum, or directing smoke towards the idol's nostrils.
• Deepak Pooja (Lamp Worship): Holding the lamp handle or plate incorrectly, not chanting the couplet, performing it in the wrong direction, with a lack of devotion, using impure oils, bringing the lamp too close to the idol, or lighting another lamp when one is already lit.
• Chamar Nritya (Whisking Dance): Performing it with shame, swinging the whisk vigorously like a stick, or swinging it in a way that creates fear or confusion.
• Darpan Darshan/Pankha Dhalvana (Mirror Viewing/Fan Waving): Looking at one's own reflection, waving the fan over oneself, or using a peacock feather as a fan.
• Akshat Pooja (Rice Worship): Using impure or broken rice, performing other tasks while making the 'Sathiya' (auspicious symbol), not chanting the couplets, and leaving offerings behind.
• Naivedya-Phal Pooja (Food/Fruit Offerings): Using market sweets, mints, biscuits, chocolates, not chanting the relevant couplets, offering rotten fruits, and leaving offerings behind where insects can feed.
• Khamasaman (Apology Ritual): Not purifying the ground before offering Khamasaman, saying it incorrectly or too quickly, not touching the ground with the head, not touching the ground with five limbs, and not purifying the body.
• Chaitryavandan (Bowing to the Shrine): Not saying Nisihith before, not performing Chaviya, not offering three Khamasaman, sitting uncomfortably, looking around, talking or laughing during the ritual, performing other Poojas simultaneously, taking or giving vows, dozing off, speaking without meaning, or not asking for forgiveness afterward.
• Kaussarg (Standing in Meditation): Sitting, leaning on walls, talking during Kaussarg, speaking the Navkar mantra incorrectly, standing crookedly, looking around, speaking incorrect prayers, and leaving without offering Khamasaman.
• Exiting the Temple: Turning one's back to the idol, walking backwards while looking elsewhere, bumping into things, talking, leaving with the intention of being free, leaving without ringing the bell or depositing money, and not saying the proper exit mantras.
• Namajal (Applying Sacred Water): Dipping all five fingers in the water and applying it to the stomach, applying it to arbitrary parts of the body, and spilling the water.
• Sitting on the Platform: Sitting with one's back to the idol, sitting in the path of people, talking to passersby, looking at people, and leaving with a sense of relief.
• Evening Aarti: Shouting praises to the Lord before Aarti, performing Aarti in a group with whisking, bell ringing, and conch blowing.

Page 8 & 9: "Ashātana" (Offenses) and Conclusion

• Ashātana: The text lists grave offenses (Dash Ashātana) that must be avoided, such as eating paan, drinking water, eating food, wearing footwear, sexual intercourse, spitting, throwing phlegm/feces, urinating, defecating, and gambling within the temple. It also mentions medium and subtle offenses.
• Conclusion: The overall message is to perform all acts of worship with utmost respect, mindfulness, and adherence to prescribed procedures to gain spiritual merit and avoid causing offense to the sacred environment and the divine presence. The importance of sincere devotion over mere outward performance is implied throughout.

In essence, "Jain Darshan Pooja" serves as a detailed manual for Jain devotees, guiding them on the correct and respectful way to engage in worship within a Jain temple, emphasizing the avoidance of disrespectful actions and the cultivation of true devotional intent.