Jain Pooja Sangraha

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Pooja Sangraha" by Mahavir Prakash Jain Thekedar, Delhi. The book is a collection of Jain devotional prayers, hymns, and rituals.

Overall Purpose and Content:

"Jain Pooja Sangraha" is a compilation of various poojas (worship rituals) and devotional practices primarily aimed at aiding Jain practitioners in their spiritual journey. The book covers a wide spectrum of devotional activities, from daily rituals to special occasion prayers and hymns dedicated to various Jain Tirthankaras and important concepts. It emphasizes the importance of devotion to the Jinendra (Jain Tirthankaras), the scriptures (Shastra), and the righteous monks (Guru) as the path to liberation.

Key Sections and Themes:

The book is meticulously organized with a detailed table of contents, indicating a wide array of topics covered. Some of the prominent themes and sections include:

• Daily and Regular Pujas:

  • "Jain Darshan Path" (Jain Philosophy Path)
  • "Panch Mangal" (Five Auspicious Things)
  • "Nitya Niyam Pooja" (Daily Rule Worship)
  • "Jal Abhishek Path" (Water Ablution Prayer)
  • "Dev-Shastra-Guru Bhasha Pooja" (Worship of God, Scripture, and Guru in vernacular language)

• Pujas for Specific Tirthankaras and Deities:

  • "Shri Videhkshetra Bimatiirthkar Pooja" (Worship of Tirthankaras in Videhkshetra)
  • "Shri Siddh Pooja" (Worship of Siddhas)
  • "Sammuchay Chauvisi Pooja" (Worship of the 24 Tirthankaras together)
  • Pujas for specific Tirthankaras like Adinath, Shantinath, Munisuvratnath, Parshwanath, and Vardhaman (Mahavir).

• Pujas for Important Jain Concepts and Places:

  • "Nirvana Kshetra Pooja" (Worship of Liberation Sites)
  • "Sapt-Rishi Pooja" (Worship of Seven Sages)
  • "Nandishwar Dwip (Ashtahnika) Pooja" (Worship of Nandishwar Island)
  • "Dashlakshan Dharma Pooja" (Worship of Ten Virtues)
  • "Ratnatray Pooja" (Worship of Three Jewels: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct)
  • "Akritrim Chaityalayonke Argh" (Offerings to Un-man-made Temples)
  • "Shri Sammed Shikhar Pooja" (Worship of Sammed Shikharji)

• Hymns and Praises:

  • "Shri Bhaktamar Stotra Pooja" (Worship based on the Bhaktamar Stotra)
  • "Bahuabli Swami Pooja" (Worship of Bahubali)
  • "Shri Mahavir Swami Pooja" (Worship of Lord Mahavir)
  • Various "Stutis" (praises) and "Prarthanas" (prayers) composed by revered Jain scholars.
  • "Meri Bhavna" (My Feelings/Aspirations) - a popular devotional song.

• Rituals and Other Practices:

  • "Vimarjan" (Purification/Cleansing Ritual)
  • "Aalochana Path" (Confession/Repentance Prayer)
  • "Samayik Path" (Prayer for a specific period of meditation and mindfulness)
  • "Deepmalika Vidhan" (Ritual of lighting lamps)
  • "Nirvana Kand Bhasha" (Rituals related to liberation/Nirvana)

Author and Publisher:

The book is attributed to Mahavir Prakash Jain Thekedar, Delhi, who also served as the publisher.

Key Features and Significance:

• Comprehensive Collection: The sheer number of poojas and hymns listed in the table of contents demonstrates the book's aim to be a comprehensive resource for Jain devotional practices.
• Vernacular Language Focus: A significant portion of the text is presented in Hindi ("Bhasha"), making the devotional content accessible to a wider audience. This highlights the tradition of adapting spiritual texts into local languages for devotional purposes.
• Attribution to Scholars: Many of the included prayers and compositions are attributed to respected Jain scholars and saints (e.g., Pandits like Dhyanatarai, Ramchandra, Rupchand, Bhudar Das, and Jugalkishore Mukhtar), lending authenticity and spiritual weight to the content.
• Emphasis on Core Jain Principles: The selection of poojas reflects core Jain tenets, such as devotion to the Panch Parmeshti (five supreme beings), the significance of the Panch Kalyanaks (five auspicious events in a Tirthankara's life), and the path to liberation.
• Distribution for Spiritual Benefit: The publisher's intention to distribute 50,000 copies of the "Jain Nitya Poojan Path Sangraha" (a different title, possibly an earlier or related work) for free indicates a strong commitment to spreading spiritual knowledge and benefit.
• Fair Use Declaration: The inclusion of a "Fair Use Declaration" by "The Free Indological Collection WWW.SANSKRITDOCUMENTS.ORG/TFIC" suggests that this specific version of the book is being made available for educational and research purposes, emphasizing its accessibility and intention to share valuable religious texts.

In essence, "Jain Pooja Sangraha" is a valuable compendium that serves as a practical guide for Jain devotees, offering a rich collection of prayers and rituals to foster spiritual growth, devotion, and a deeper connection with Jain principles and traditions.