Laghu Shanti Vidhan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Laghu Shanti Vidhan" (Small Peace Ritual) by Rajmal Pavaiya, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Laghu Shanti Vidhan (Small Peace Ritual) Author: Rajmal Pavaiya Publisher: Akhil Bharatiya Jain Yuva Federation Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/007146/1

Overall Purpose and Context:

"Laghu Shanti Vidhan" is a concise and simplified version of the traditional "Shanti Vidhan" (Peace Ritual) within Jainism. It is designed to be performed on special occasions when time might be limited, while still effectively invoking peace and spiritual well-being. The text focuses on the worship and veneration of the "Nav Devs" (Nine Deities/Holies) of Jainism.

Key Components and Content:

Title and Authorship: The book is explicitly titled "Laghu Shanti Vidhan" and is attributed to Kaviwar Rajmalji Pavaiya. The publisher is identified as Akhil Bharatiya Jain Yuva Federation, with a specific address in Jaipur.
Publisher's Foreword (Page 3):
- The Akhil Bharatiya Jain Yuva Federation expresses its pleasure in publishing this concise version of the Shanti Vidhan.
- They acknowledge that traditional Shanti Vidhan is performed on many occasions, but a shorter form is often needed due to time constraints.
- They express gratitude to Rajmalji Pavaiya for providing this "Nav Dev Pujan Vidhan" (Ritual of Worship of the Nine Deities).
- Appreciation is given to Shri Akhil Bansal for managing the publication and Shri Shantikumarji Patil for proofreading.
- The foreword concludes with a benevolent wish for readers to attain their own welfare through the worship of the adored Nav Devs.
Mangalacharan (Invocation/Benediction) (Page 4):
- The ritual begins with auspicious verses (Mangalacharan).
- It starts with a salutation to the Panch Parmeshthis (five supreme beings: Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu) and also to the Jinlaya (temple), Jinbimb (idol), Jinsrut (scripture), and Jindharma (Jain religion).
- A beautiful verse describes the "Nav Mangal" (Nine Auspicious Entities) as bestowers of ultimate peace and perfect happiness.
- The text then lists the nine entities to be revered and worshipped:
  - Arihant Dev
  - Siddha
  - Acharya
  - Upadhyaya
  - Sadhu ( Muni)
  - Jin Chaityalaya (Temple)
  - Jinbimb (Idol)
  - Jin Shruti (Sacred Scripture)
  - Jindharma (Jain Dharma)
- These entities are repeatedly described as auspicious, supreme, and a source of refuge.
Core Worship and Rituals (Pages 5-26): The bulk of the text outlines the procedures for the worship. The ritual generally involves:
- Expressing Devotion and Seeking Blessings (Page 5): Verses express the desire to perform the Shanti Vidhan, recognize the soul's inherent peaceful nature, and pay homage to the Nav Devs. The goal is to attain great peace, overcome karmic bondage, and eradicate delusion and the cycle of birth and death. It emphasizes seeking refuge in the Nav Devs.
- Invocation and Establishment (Page 6):
  - Sthapana (Establishment): This section identifies the nine entities as the primary divine beings and the vanquishers of suffering. The aim is to worship them with devotion and gain knowledge of the true essence (Tattva).
  - Mantra Invocation: Specific mantras like "Om Hreem Shri Navdevgarbhit..." are used to invite and establish the presence of the Nav Devs in the ritual space.
  - Abhishekam (Consecration/Ablution): The ritual involves the symbolic offering of various items for purification and consecration, mirroring the traditional Ashtaprakari Puja (worship with eight substances). These offerings include:
    - Jal (Water): For the destruction of birth, old age, and death.
    - Chandan (Sandalwood): For overcoming the heat of worldly existence.
    - Akshat (Unbroken Rice): For achieving the imperishable state.
    - Pushp (Flowers): To destroy the arrows of desire.
    - Naivedya (Food Offering): To alleviate the pangs of hunger.
    - Deep (Lamp): To dispel the darkness of ignorance and delusion.
    - Dhup (Incense): To burn away the eight karmas.
    - Phal (Fruit): To attain the fruit of ultimate liberation.
    - Arghya (Special Offering): To achieve the invaluable state.
- Maharghya (Great Offering) (Page 8): A special, more elaborate offering is presented, reinforcing the desire to end worldly desires and achieve purity.
- Jaimala (Garland of Victory/Praise) (Pages 8-9): This section focuses on the importance of Samyak Darshan (Right Faith) as the foundation for all spiritual progress. It explains that without pure inner intention (Samayak Darshan), other practices like penance and asceticism are ineffective. It stresses self-purification, discerning true knowledge, and the realization of the soul's true nature, leading to right conduct, destruction of karmas, and ultimately, the attainment of omniscience (Keval Gnan) and the state of an Arihant.
- Arghya to Individual Parmeshthis and Jain Entities (Pages 9-18): The ritual then proceeds to offer individual arghya (offerings) to:
  - Arihant Parmeshthi (highlighting their 46 virtues)
  - Siddha Parmeshthi (highlighting their 8 supreme virtues)
  - Acharya Parmeshthi (highlighting their 36 virtues)
  - Upadhyaya Parmeshthi (highlighting their 25 virtues)
  - Sadhu Parmeshthi (highlighting their 28 primary virtues)
  - The Twenty-Four Tirthankaras of the current era.
  - Various Jinlaya (temples) located in different regions and mountains across the Jain cosmology (Middle world, Lower world, Upper world), including those related to the Panch Meru mountains, Vijay regions, Manushyottar mountain, Nandishwar Dwip, Kundalvar Dwip, Ruchakvar Dwip, and Dwip Palaces. This extensive listing showcases the vastness of Jain cosmology and the reverence for all manifestations of Jain worship.
- Worship of Jinvani (Sacred Scripture) and Jindharma (Jain Dharma) (Page 20):
  - The text offers an arghya to the sacred scripture (Jinvani), describing its twelve Angas and the four types of scriptures (Prathmanuyog, Karananuyog, Dravyanuyog, Charananyog). It emphasizes the importance of studying these scriptures for spiritual growth and peace.
  - An offering is made to Jindharma, recognizing it as the inherent nature of the soul.
- Worship of Shodash Karan Bhavanas (Sixteen Causes/Meditations for Tirthankarhood) (Page 21): The ritual includes an offering to these important spiritual practices that lead to becoming a Tirthankara.
- Worship of Dash Lakshana Dharma (Ten Virtues) (Page 21): An offering is made to the ten cardinal virtues (forgiveness, humility, truthfulness, etc.) as fundamental principles of Jain living.
- Worship of Ratnatraya (Three Jewels: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) (Page 22): Specific offerings are made to each of the Three Jewels, emphasizing their role in liberation.
- Antim Maharghya (Final Great Offering) (Page 23): A concluding, powerful offering is made, urging the practitioner to recognize their inherent divine nature, shed ignorance and delusion, overcome karmic bondage, and realize their true, pure soul. It reiterates the importance of dwelling in the soul's true essence and achieving the highest peace.
- Mahajaimala (Great Garland of Victory) (Page 24): This section describes the ultimate state of liberation (Siddha state) with vivid imagery of the liberated soul merging with infinite bliss and shedding all worldly impurities. It speaks of the joy and celebration that accompanies this ultimate attainment.
- Shanti Path (Peace Recitation) (Page 25): The ritual concludes with a Shanti Path, a prayer for universal peace and the well-being of all living beings. It reiterates the auspiciousness of the Panch Parmeshthis, Jain temples, idols, scriptures, and the Dharma itself. It expresses a wish for everyone to be happy, free from suffering, and to attain ultimate peace through devotion.
- Kshamapana (Forgiveness Request) (Page 25): A final request for forgiveness is made for any errors or shortcomings during the ritual, acknowledging the limitations of the practitioner.

Key Themes:

Peace (Shanti): The central theme is the attainment of peace, both inner and outer, through spiritual devotion.
Reverence for Nav Devs: The ritual is structured around honoring the nine supreme entities of Jainism.
Spiritual Progress: The text guides the practitioner through stages of devotion, purification, and self-realization, leading towards liberation.
Importance of Samyak Darshan: Right Faith is highlighted as the crucial first step towards spiritual liberation.
Cosmological Knowledge: The detailed listing of numerous temples across different realms reflects the Jain understanding of the universe and the omnipresence of the divine.
Conciseness and Accessibility: The "Laghu" aspect emphasizes that this ritual is a practical and time-efficient way to engage in profound spiritual practice.

In essence, "Laghu Shanti Vidhan" is a devotional guide that offers a structured yet accessible path for Jains to invoke peace, honor their spiritual lineage, and progress on the path to self-realization through the worship of the Nav Devs and the principles of Jainism.