Jain Diwali Sampurna Puja - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain Diwali Sampurna Puja text:

This book, "Jain Diwali Sampurna Puja," is a guide for Jains to celebrate Diwali according to their traditions and beliefs. It emphasizes the distinct Jain approach to Diwali, which is different from other religious practices.

Core Themes and Content:

Introduction to Jainism (Page 3): The book begins by explaining the meaning of "Jain" as an follower of "Jin" (victors over their minds, speech, and bodies). It highlights the fundamental Jain mantra, the Navkar Mantra (or Namokar Mantra), as the core of Jainism and a path to spiritual liberation. It also touches upon the importance of asceticism and nudity for achieving Moksha (liberation) in the Jain tradition.
Jain Chaughadiya (Page 4): This section presents the "Chaughadiya" system, which is a Jain method of determining auspicious times for activities based on the day of the week and specific time blocks. It provides tables for both day and night Chaughadiya for various days of the week, indicating auspicious (Shubh), inauspicious (Rog, Kaal, Udveg), and moderate (Char, Labh, Amrit) periods.
Who is a Jain? (Page 5): A Jain is defined not by birth or religion but by their actions and conduct. Key qualities include protecting oneself from unnecessary violence, upholding truth, understanding justice, living with culture and values, transforming fate through effort, being detached and having few possessions, environmental awareness, believing in renunciation, and considering oneself the creator of one's own happiness and sorrow.
The Jain Flag (Pages 6-8): The book details the significance and symbolism of the five-colored Jain flag. The colors represent:
- Red: Awakens inner sight.
- Yellow: Activates the mind.
- White: Awakens inner strength.
- Green: Grants peace and aids self-realization.
- Blue: Absorbs external influences, preventing them from entering. The flag's colors are linked to the Panch Parmeshthi (the five supreme beings in Jainism) and the five vows (Panch Anuvrat and Panch Mahavrat). The flag's structure, including the central swastika (symbolizing the cycle of birth and death) and the three dots (representing right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct), is also explained.
The Navkar Mantra (Page 9): This section emphasizes the profound importance of the Navkar Mantra, calling it the "Maha Mantra" (great mantra) that grants knowledge of one's true self and fulfills desires when chanted with a pure mind, speech, and body. It breaks down the spiritual significance of each of the five Parmeshthi mentioned in the mantra.
Diwali Puja - Temple and Home (Pages 10-11):
- Temple Puja: On the night of Kartik Krishna Chaturdashi and the morning of Amavasya, Jains should engage in Samayik (meditation) and perform Abhishek (ritual bathing) and Nitya Puja. The puja should include a special offering (Argh) during the Keval Gyan (omniscience) Kalyanaka of Lord Mahavir, symbolizing it with 16 ghee lamps. The Nirvana Kalyanaka (liberation) should also be celebrated with offerings and a special Nirvana Laddu.
- Home Puja: In the evening, devotees should wear clean clothes, prepare puja materials, and perform rituals. This includes drawing auspicious symbols like "Shri" and "Swastika" on the wall, setting up an idol or photo of a Tirthankar, and establishing a Kalash (pot) with auspicious items. The puja involves offering Argh to various deities and important figures like the Panch Parmeshthi, the Chauvisi (24 Tirthankaras), and Goddess Saraswati, followed by a puja for Lord Gautam Swami and then lighting 64 lamps. The section concludes with a collective recitation of Mahavir Ashtak and Aarti.
Diwali Sampurna Puja (Pages 12-14): This elaborates on the significance of Diwali in Jainism, marking the Nirvana of Lord Mahavir and the attainment of Keval Gyan (omniscience) by his disciple, Gautam Swami. The text clarifies that the lights symbolize Keval Gyan. It discusses the tradition of starting the new accounting year on Diwali and performing the Bahi Muhurt (auspicious start for account books). It addresses the confusion arising from the government's shift in the financial year to April 1st, suggesting that while continuity of tradition is respected, the Bahi Muhurt can also be performed on or before March 31st, adhering to auspicious timings. The text also explains the significance of Dhanteras (day of renunciation) and Rup-Chaudas (day of observing vows and self-control), refuting the practice of worshipping wealth as Lakshmi and advocating for the worship of Moksha Lakshmi and Gautam Swami.
Deepmalika Parva (Pages 15-16): This section details the preparations for Diwali, suggesting reciting a mantra and the Mahavir Ashtak before visiting the temple. It then outlines the setup for home or shop puja, involving placing the Vinayak Yantra and scriptures, offering various items, and performing the puja facing East or North. It emphasizes the importance of auspicious timings and performing rituals with concentration.
New Account Book Muhurt (Page 16): A list of materials for the new account book auspicious ceremony is provided. It details how to write auspicious symbols and greetings on the new books using saffron and ink.
Puja Prarambh (Page 17): This marks the formal beginning of the puja, with invocations and salutations to the Panch Parmeshthi and the recitation of the Navkar Mantra.
Argh Offerings (Pages 17-18): Several sections are dedicated to offering Argh (a ritualistic offering) to different revered figures and concepts:
- Binaak Yantra Puja
- Dev Shastra Guru Puja (worship of God, scriptures, and preceptors)
- Bhees Maharaj ka Argh (offering to the twenty Tirthankaras residing in Videh Kshetra)
- Siddh Parmeshthi ka Argh (offering to the liberated souls)
- Chauvis Maharaj ka Argh (offering to the 24 Tirthankaras)
- Antaraykarma Nasharth Argh (offering to remove obstacles to gain)
Shri Mahavir Jin Puja (Pages 19-22): This is a detailed ritualistic worship of Lord Mahavir, including offerings of water, sandalwood, rice, flowers, food, lamps, incense, and fruits, accompanied by devotional hymns. It also includes the Panch Kalyanaka (five auspicious events in a Tirthankar's life) and the Jaymala (garland of victory) dedicated to him.
Shri Saraswati Puja (Pages 23-25): This section is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, with prayers and offerings, followed by a detailed explanation of the twelve Angas (limbs) of Jain scripture and their respective verse counts.
Shri Gautam Ganadhar Puja (Pages 26-28): This is the puja specifically for Lord Gautam Swami, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, on the occasion of his attainment of Keval Gyan. The offerings and hymns celebrate his wisdom and his role in spreading Lord Mahavir's teachings. The Jaymala for Gautam Swami is also included.
Mahavir Ashtak Stotram (Page 29): A devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Mahavir, composed by Kavi Bhagchand, highlighting his virtues and auspicious presence.
Aarti (Pages 30-31): The book includes two Aartis (devotional songs sung with lamps):
- Jain Vanani Mata ki Aarti (Aarti for the Mother of Jain Speech/Scripture)
- Shri Mahavir Swami ki Aarti (Aarti for Lord Mahavir)
Jalao To Deep Jalao (Pages 32-34): This concluding section strongly advocates for a non-violent Diwali. It urges people to light lamps and spread knowledge rather than harm living beings. It criticizes the use of firecrackers, calling it an act of terrorism and animal cruelty, and highlights the negative impacts of pollution, fear among humans and animals, and the waste of money. It encourages spending money on charity, education, or helping the needy instead of firecrackers. The message strongly aligns with Jain principles of ahimsa (non-violence) and the teachings of Lord Mahavir to "Live and Let Live." It concludes by stating that true devotion is in following the preachings of God and Guru, and that a life filled with good deeds and righteous actions, rather than just wishing, brings true prosperity and happiness.

In essence, "Jain Diwali Sampurna Puja" provides a comprehensive guide for Jains to observe Diwali with a focus on spiritual enlightenment, non-violence, and adherence to the teachings of the Tirthankaras, particularly Lord Mahavir and his disciple Gautam Swami.