Jin Pooja Sangraha

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jin Pooja Sangraha" by Ramchandra Gani, based on the provided pages.

Book Title: Jin Pooja Sangraha (जिनपूजासंग्रहं) Author: Shrimad Upadhyay Ramchandraji Gani (श्रीमदुपाध्याय रामचंद्रजीगणी) Publisher: Rushi Nankchand (ऋषि नानकचंद) Publication: Jain Prabhakar Press, Banaras (बनारस जैनप्रभाकर प्रेस) Date: Samvat 1133, Shravan Vad 1 (सव्वत् ११३३ मि० श्रावण बदि १)

Overall Purpose:

The "Jin Pooja Sangraha" is a guide to performing various forms of worship (Pooja) in Jainism, specifically focusing on the veneration of Jinas (Tirthankaras). The text emphasizes the importance of devotion and provides detailed instructions and mantras for different rituals, aiming to facilitate the spiritual progress of devotees.

Key Sections and Content:

• Introduction and Appeal (Page 3): The book begins with an advertisement appealing to all virtuous individuals to engage in the worship of Jinas, considering it a bridge across the ocean of worldly existence. It highlights that proper worship is made easier and more successful through knowledge of the Agamas, which is gained through reading, teaching, and making scriptures accessible. The text encourages wealthy individuals to support the printing and distribution of religious texts, citing the words of Shri Hem Chandra Suri as proof of the immense merit in such endeavors. It expresses a wish for the growth of knowledge and scriptures for the preservation of Dharma, and thanks patrons like Ray Dhanpat Singh Bahadur for their support in publishing works like "Pad Ratnavali" and "Jin Pooja Sangraha."

• Instructions for Pooja (Page 4 onwards):

  • General Preparation: The text details the initial steps for a devotee, including bathing, tying hair, wearing clean clothes, covering the mouth (mukha vastrika), and performing purification rituals with specific mantras for applying tilak (forehead mark).
  • Purification Mantras (Page 4-5): Various purification mantras are provided for different elements used in Pooja, such as:
    • Tilak Mantra: "Netraswaroopaham samsari jeevah..." (नेत्रसरूपोहं संसारि जीवः...)
    • Water Purification (Jal Mantra): "Ne apo apakaya ekendiya jeeva..." (ने श्रापो अपकाया एकेंदिया जीवा...)
    • Purification of Other Offerings (Chandan, Pushpa, Dhoop, Phal, Akshat, Shuddhi Mantra): Mantras are given for sandalwood, flowers, incense, fruit, rice, and general purification, often invoking the purity of the elements and the intention of pure worship.
    • Fire and Lamp Purification (Agni aur Deepak Shuddhi Mantra): "Ne agnayo agnikaya jeeva..." (ने अग्नयो अग्निकाया जीवा...)

• Snatra Pooja (Abhisheka/Bathing Ritual) (Page 6-19): This is a significant section detailing the ritualistic bathing of the Jina idols.

  • It includes devotional songs (Gatha and Dhal) praising various Tirthankaras like Adinath, Shantinath, Neminath, Parshvanath, and Mahavir.
  • The descriptions often poetic, depicting the Jinas seated on their thrones, adorned with auspicious qualities, and the devotee offering flowers (Kusumanjali) at their feet.
  • The text elaborates on the birth of Tirthankaras, including auspicious dreams of the mother (such as elephants, bulls, lions, goddesses of wealth, etc.), the tremor of the throne of Indra, and the joyous celebrations by celestial beings.
  • It describes the divine bath (Snatra) performed by the gods using celestial water and offerings.

• Ashta Prakari Pooja (Eightfold Worship) (Page 20-24): This section details the traditional eight types of offerings made during Jain worship:

  1. Jal (Water): For cleansing and purity.
  2. Chandan (Sandalwood): For fragrance and cooling.
  3. Pushpa (Flowers): For beauty and devotion.
  4. Dhoop (Incense): For fragrance and purification.
  5. Deep (Lamp): Symbolizing knowledge and dispelling darkness.
  6. Akshat (Rice): Symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity.
  7. Naivedya (Food Offering): Symbolizing nourishment and detachment from worldly pleasures.
  8. Phal (Fruit): Symbolizing the fruits of spiritual practice.
  • Each offering is accompanied by a specific mantra and a devotional verse.
  • The text also includes the ritual of Loon Utaaran (removing negativity/evil eye using salt) and performing Aarti (waving a lamp).
  • Aarti is performed for various Tirthankaras and specifically for the Navapad deities.

• Satra Hedi (Seventeenfold Worship) (Page 29-50): This is an extensive section detailing a seventeen-step worship process. Each step is described with its purpose and accompanied by devotional songs (Dohas, Dhals, Vastu, etc.) in a regional dialect (likely Gujarati or a related Prakrit). The seventeen steps are:

  1. Nhavaṇ (Bathing)
  2. Vilepaṇ (Anointing/Sandalwood application)
  3. Vastra (Clothes)
  4. Gandhārohaṇ (Fragrant offerings)
  5. Puṣphārohaṇ (Flower offerings)
  6. Mālārohaṇ (Garland offerings)
  7. Varṇa (Color/Dye)
  8. Gandhabaṭī (Fragrant paste)
  9. Dhvaja (Flag)
  10. Ābharaṇ (Jewelry/Adornments)
  11. Phūlghar (Flower house/Decoration)
  12. Puṣpavarṣā (Flower rain)
  13. Aṣṭamaṅgalya (Eight Auspicious Symbols)
  14. Dhūp (Incense)
  15. Gīta (Song)
  16. Nṛtya (Dance)
  17. Vājita (Musical Instruments)

• Navapad Pooja (Worship of the Ninefold Supreme Beings) (Page 51-80): This section is dedicated to the worship of the Navapada, which are central figures in Jain devotion:

  • Arihant (Supreme beings who have conquered their passions)
  • Siddha (Liberated souls)
  • Acharya (Spiritual leaders/Gurus)
  • Upadhyaya (Teachers)
  • Sadhu (Monks)
  • Darshan (Right Faith)
  • Gyan (Right Knowledge)
  • Charitra (Right Conduct)
  • Tapa (Austerity)
  • The text provides mantras, verses, and songs for venerating each of these nine categories. It highlights the qualities and significance of each Pad.

• Vimshati Sthanak Pooja (Worship of the Twentyfold Sacred Places/Concepts) (Page 96-136): This section outlines a worship practice involving twenty important concepts or places in Jainism. The text enumerates these twenty places and provides hymns and rituals for their veneration. The list includes:

  1. Arihant
  2. Siddha
  3. Pravachan (Scriptures/Teachings)
  4. Acharya
  5. Sthavira (Elder monks)
  6. Upadhyaya
  7. Sadhu
  8. Gyan (Knowledge)
  9. Darshan (Faith)
  10. Vinaya (Humility/Respect)
  11. Charitra (Conduct)
  12. Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
  13. Kriya (Action/Ritual)
  14. Tapa (Austerity)
  15. Dan (Charity)
  16. Veyavachcha (Service/Care)
  17. Samadhi (Meditation/Tranquility)
  18. Apurva Shrut (Unprecedented scripture)
  19. Tirtha Prabhavana (Propagation of Jainism)
  20. (Implied context suggests various aspects of Jain practice/doctrine).
  • The text lists the twenty places and then proceeds to describe the worship for each.

• Chaturvimsati Jin Pooja (Worship of the Twenty-four Jinas) (Page 137-156): This section is dedicated to the worship of each of the twenty-four Tirthankaras of the current era.

  • It begins with a general invocation and the eightfold worship offerings for the first Tirthankara, Adinath (Rishabhnath).
  • It then proceeds, likely with each Tirthankara having their name substituted in the mantras and verses, though the provided text might not detail all 24 individually but rather provides a structure for it.
  • The worship includes specific hymns and descriptions for Rishabhnath, Ajitnath, Sambhavanath, Abhinandananath, Sumatinath, Padmaprabhu, Suparshvanath, Chandraprabhu, Pushpadanta, Shitalnath, Shreyansanath, Vasupujya, Vimalanath, Anantnath, Dharmanath, Shantinath, Kunthunath, Arnath, Mallinath, Munisuvrata, Naminath, Neminath, Parshvanath, and Mahavir.

• Nandishwar Pooja (Worship of Nandishwar Dwipa) (Page 153-172): This section describes the worship of the sacred Nandishwar Dwipa, a significant location in Jain cosmology.

  • It details the immense scale of Nandishwar Dwipa and the eternal Jain temples located there.
  • It describes the divine bath (Snatra) performed by celestial beings for the Jinas residing in these temples.
  • The text mentions the eightfold worship (Ashta Prakari Pooja) being performed for the Jinas of Nandishwar.

• Pancha Kalyana Pooja (Worship of the Five Auspicious Events) (Page 173-195): This section focuses on the worship of the five auspicious events in the life of a Tirthankara:

  1. Chyavana (Descent): The Tirthankara's soul descending from the heavens.
  2. Janma (Birth): The birth of the Tirthankara.
  3. Diksha (Renunciation): The Tirthankara's renunciation of worldly life.
  4. Kevala Gyana (Omniscience): Attaining perfect knowledge.
  5. Nirvana (Liberation): The soul's liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
  • The text provides hymns and rituals for each of these Kalyanas, often describing the divine celebrations by gods and goddesses.

• Pancha Gyana Pooja (Worship of the Five Types of Knowledge) (Page 196-203): This section is dedicated to the worship of the five types of Jain knowledge:

  1. Mati Gyana (Sense Knowledge): Knowledge gained through senses.
  2. Shruta Gyana (Scriptural Knowledge): Knowledge from scriptures.
  3. Avadhi Gyana (Clairvoyance): Supernatural knowledge of form and space.
  4. Manahparyaya Gyana (Telepathy): Knowledge of others' thoughts.
  5. Kevala Gyana (Omniscience): Absolute and perfect knowledge.
  • The text provides prayers and rituals for each type of knowledge, emphasizing its importance in spiritual progress.

• Dada Ji Ki Ashta Prakari Pooja (Eightfold Worship in veneration of Dada Ji): This final section seems to be a tribute to a specific spiritual figure or lineage, possibly the author's or a revered spiritual guide, referred to as "Dada Ji" (likely referring to Dada Guru Jin Kushal Suri). It details the eightfold worship dedicated to him.

Key Themes:

• Devotion and Reverence: The central theme is the deep devotion and reverence for the Jinas and the core principles of Jainism.
• Merit of Worship: The text consistently emphasizes the immense spiritual merit gained through sincere worship and the propagation of Jain scriptures.
• Spiritual Progress: The ultimate goal of the various poojas is presented as facilitating spiritual upliftment and leading towards liberation (Moksha).
• Accessibility of Knowledge: The importance of making religious knowledge and texts accessible to all is a recurring message.
• Purity: Purity in offerings, intention, and action is highlighted as essential for effective worship.

Language and Style:

The text is written in an ancient form of Hindi, interspersed with Prakrit and Sanskrit terms. It uses devotional poetry, including Dohas, Dhals, and other lyrical forms, to express reverence and convey instructions in an engaging manner.

In essence, "Jin Pooja Sangraha" serves as a devotional manual, equipping Jain devotees with the knowledge and practices necessary to perform various forms of worship with sincerity and understanding, thereby fostering their spiritual journey.