Jinni Navangi Poojano Kram - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text:

Book Title: Jinni Navangi Poojano Kram (The Order of Worship of the Nine Limbs of Jin) Author: Maneklal C. Mehta Publisher: Z_Arya_Kalyan_Gautam_Smruti_Granth_012034.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/230096/1

Summary:

This excerpt from "Jinni Navangi Poojano Kram" by Maneklal C. Mehta, published by Z_Arya_Kalyan_Gautam_Smruti_Granth_012034.pdf, presents a thought-provoking discussion on the traditional Jain practice of "Navangi Puja" (worship involving nine parts of the body).

The editor introduces the work as being from the "Navjivan Granthmala" (Gariyadhar, Saurashtra), which is a branch of the "Jain Tattvagnan Vidyapith - Pune." Maneklal Mehta, the author of the book "Jijnyasa" (also published by the same institution), had previously written a question-and-answer section on the Navangi Puja of the image of the Tirthankara. The editor notes that the followers of the Anchal (Vidhipaksh) sect, both men and women, perform this puja by ascending upwards and not downwards. The editor also highlights that the work "Pooja" by the venerable Meghraj Muni is considered the oldest and foremost available puja literature in the current era.

The core of the excerpt is a question posed by the editor to the author: "Is the prevailing order of worship of the nine limbs correct?"

The author, Maneklal C. Mehta, provides an answer that critiques the common practice. He explains the traditional sequence of worship according to popular Dohas (verses) as:

Charan (Feet)
Dhinchan (Knees)
Kandu (Wrists)
Khabha (Shoulders)
Shir (Head)
Bhal (Forehead)
Kanth (Throat)
Hriday (Heart)
Nabhi (Navel)

Mehta states that through these nine limbs, we remember the infinite benefactions of the Tirthankara. However, he argues that the ultimate goal is to achieve the highest state of liberation (Muktipada), from which one never returns to this worldly existence. He questions the practice of applying the "Pancham Tilak" (fifth Tilak, often on the forehead) on the head and then descending. He feels that this order is not appropriate according to his understanding.

To support his point, Mehta quotes a verse from the second puja (Sattar Bhedi Puja) written by the venerable Meghraj Muni:

"We worship the nine limbs, feet, knees, hands, navel, heart, shoulders, throat, forehead, head, applying color with joy; by this, we cross the ocean of existence."

According to this verse, the order of worship is presented as:

Charan (Feet)
Janu (Knees)
Kar (Hands/Wrists)
Nabhi (Navel)
Hriday (Heart)
Bahu (Shoulders)
Kanth (Throat)
Lalat (Forehead)
Shir (Head)

Mehta emphasizes that this sequence clearly indicates the application of the final Tilak on the head, and he believes this to be the correct and logical order.

In essence, the excerpt presents a scholarly debate within Jain tradition regarding the proper sequence of "Navangi Puja," advocating for an order that concludes with the head, signifying the ultimate goal of liberation, as supported by the revered Meghraj Muni's composition.