Murti Puja Tattva Prakash - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Murti Puja Tattva Prakash" by Gangadhar Mishra, focusing on the provided pages:

Book Title: Murti Puja Tattva Prakash (The Light of the Principles of Idol Worship) Author: Gangadhar Mishra Publisher: Fulchand Hajarimal Vijapurwale

Core Theme: The book aims to illuminate and defend the practice of Murti Puja (idol worship) within Jainism and other religious traditions. It seeks to address common criticisms and misunderstandings surrounding this practice by presenting arguments based on scriptures, history, and logic.

Introduction and Purpose (Pages 3-4): The book is presented as a small treatise intended to provide a clear understanding of Murti Puja. The author, Gangadhar Mishra, states that the work draws upon Vedic texts, scriptures, history, Puranas, and Jain Agamas to present the rationale behind idol worship. It is intended for those who are curious about the profound meanings of Murti Puja, devotees, and those who might be misled by shallow arguments against it. The author humbly requests readers, both proponents and opponents of Murti Puja, to read the book with an open mind and a discerning intellect. He acknowledges the possibility of errors and invites feedback. The writing of the book was inspired and supported by Muni Pungav Shri Vallabh Vijayji Maharaj.

The Meaning and Significance of Murti Puja (Pages 5-8):

Devotional Foundation: The text begins with invocations and verses that highlight the benefits of worshipping the divine. It states that those who perform idol worship of their chosen deities with proper method achieve all their desires.
Spiritual and Material Benefits: Idol worship is described as a means to:
- Destroy sins and misfortune.
- Ward off calamities.
- Accumulate merit.
- Increase wealth.
- Promote good health.
- Grant good fortune and wisdom.
- Foster love and yield fame.
- Lead to heavenly realms and ultimately liberation (Moksha).
Ethical Conduct: The text emphasizes performing worship three times a day, donating wealth to deserving individuals, following the path of righteousness, conquering inner enemies like lust and anger, showing compassion to all beings, listening to wise teachings, and aspiring for liberation.
Critique of Superficiality: The author criticizes those who are ignorant of the true essence of reality and speak foolishly, especially those who dismiss ancient traditions or blindly follow new, unfounded ideas. He stresses the rarity of human birth and the importance of mindful action.
Discerning Truth: The book advocates for discerning truth from both old and new ideas, rather than blindly accepting or rejecting them.
Defense of Murti Puja: It directly addresses the claim that Murti Puja is new or useless, asserting that such claims are refuted by sound arguments and evidence. The book aims to both "adorn" (mandan) Murti Puja and "refute" (khandan) the misguided intellects of its detractors.
Understanding the Term "Murti Puja": The text delves into the etymology and meaning of "Murti" and "Puja."
- Murti: Derived from the root "murch" (meaning attachment, delusion, or rising), it signifies that which is worshipped or taken refuge in for ultimate peace, supreme happiness, or higher realms. The text lists synonyms for "murti" from ancient lexicons, including "kaya" (body) and "vigraha" (form).
- Puja: Derived from the root "puj" (meaning to worship), it refers to the act of showing special respect or veneration with mind, speech, and various offerings like flowers, fruits, incense, lamps, water, etc.
- Murti Puja: The combination signifies the act of showing special respect to the divine form (murti) that is worshipped for ultimate happiness.

The Dialogue and Debates (Pages 10-94): The bulk of the provided text consists of a detailed dialogue between a proponent of Murti Puja, Yogi-raj Dada Dinbandhu, and an opponent named Kaka Kaluram, who initially rejects idol worship based on modern reformist ideas. Kaka Kaluram is later joined by representatives of other religions: an Arya Samajist (Chajjuram Shastri), a Muslim (Maulana Abdul Husen), a Christian (Hazarat Musa Masih), a Sikh (Sardar Sirsingh), and a Jain (Gyanchand Lukhan).

The dialogue covers numerous arguments and counter-arguments, including:

The Nature of Idols: Whether idols are merely inanimate objects or can serve as conduits for spiritual connection.
The Efficacy of Worship: How worshipping an idol can lead to spiritual knowledge and fulfillment.
The Concept of the Formless God: How a formless God can be worshipped through a formed idol.
The Problem of Invincibility: Why idols cannot defend themselves but can still offer protection to devotees.
The Analogy of Other Objects: Comparing the worship of idols to the respect shown to scriptures, religious symbols, and even the human body.
The Teachings of Swami Dayanand Saraswati: Debunking the misconception that Swami Dayanand rejected all forms of idol worship, arguing that his emphasis on Vedic rituals like Havan (fire sacrifice) and focusing on the spine or navel for meditation also involves forms of veneration and sensory engagement.
Scriptural Evidence for Murti Puja: Citing numerous verses from the Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda), Upanishads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Manusmriti, and Jain Agamas (Sthananga Sutra, Samavayana Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra, etc.) to demonstrate the historical and scriptural basis for idol worship across various traditions.
The Purpose of Offerings: Explaining the symbolic meaning behind offering flowers, fruits, incense, lamps, etc., as expressions of devotion and a means to overcome worldly desires.
The Universality of Murti Puja: Arguing that all religions, in some form or another, engage in practices that can be considered a type of idol worship, whether it's worshipping scriptures, religious sites, or symbolic representations.
The Historical Practice: Highlighting examples like Eklavya worshipping a clay statue of Dronacharya and Rama worshipping Shiva lingas as historical precedents.
The Jain Perspective: The Jain section of the debate focuses on the meaning of "Chetya" (temple) and the role of Jina images in spiritual practice, citing Jain scriptures to show that such practices are sanctioned. It addresses concerns about the inanimate nature of the idols and the concept of "Pancha Mahavratas" (five great vows) in relation to idol worship.

Conclusion (Pages 73, 89, 90-94): The dialogue culminates in the apparent acceptance and understanding of Murti Puja by Kaka Kaluram and Chajjuram Shastri, and later by the representatives of other religions. They acknowledge that their previous objections were based on misunderstandings or narrow interpretations. The text concludes by emphasizing that Murti Puja is an ancient, beneficial practice supported by various scriptures and traditions, leading to spiritual welfare and peace. The Jain section reinforces the validity of idol worship within Jainism, citing numerous scriptural references.

In essence, "Murti Puja Tattva Prakash" serves as a scholarly and persuasive defense of idol worship, aiming to clarify its spiritual significance and refute criticisms through extensive scriptural and logical arguments.