Navgrah Arishta Nivarak Vidhan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navgrah Arishta Nivarak Vidhan" (Remedial Measures for Nine Planets' Afflictions) based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Navgrah Arishta Nivarak Vidhan (Remedial Measures for Nine Planets' Afflictions) Author/Compiler: Balmukund Digambardas Jain (Compiler); Hakim Hazari Lal (Author of Narmada River Siddha Jin Pooja); Banarasidas alias Das (Author of Satya Pooja and Navagraha Shanti Stotra & Japa) Publisher: Digambar Jain Pustakalay

Overall Purpose and Philosophy:

The central tenet of this text is to provide Jain followers with rituals and prayers to mitigate the perceived negative influences of the nine planets (Navagraha) according to Jain principles. The compilation explicitly aims to counter prevalent superstitions and misconceptions that lead people to perform actions not aligned with the Jain path. It emphasizes that true well-being and freedom from suffering stem from understanding and adhering to Jain teachings, particularly the path of right faith, knowledge, and conduct.

Key Arguments and Philosophical Underpinnings:

Rejection of Superstition and Misguided Beliefs: The preface strongly criticizes the practice of performing rituals like donating to appease planets, watering peepal trees, or circumambulating them based on a "false belief" (mithyatva). The compiler's intention is to guide people away from these practices and towards Jain-centric solutions.
Karma and Planetary Influence: The text posits that the "movement of karma" and the "movement of planets" are analogous. Planets do not inflict suffering directly but rather serve as messengers, alerting individuals to the impending arrival of negative karmic consequences. Therefore, addressing the underlying karma through spiritual practice is the ultimate solution.
The Power of Jain Puja and Mantras: The core of the solution lies in the veneration of the twenty-four Jinas (Tirthankaras) and the chanting of specific mantras. It's believed that by performing these rituals with devotion, the negative effects indicated by planetary positions can be nullified.
Integration with Jain Principles: The rituals described are designed to be performed within the framework of Jain ethics. This includes aspects like poshad (fasting for a day with one meal) and chanting sacred mantras.
Importance of Right Faith (Samyak Darshan): The text implicitly and explicitly promotes the abandonment of mithyatva (false belief) and the adoption of samyak darshan (right faith) as the ultimate remedy for all worldly suffering.

Structure and Content:

The book is a compilation of various rituals and prayers, each associated with specific planets and deities. The primary components include:

General Navagraha Puja (Pages 4-6):
- A general invocation and puja to all twenty-four Jinas (Chaturvimsati Jin) for the removal of afflictions caused by the nine planets.
- This involves the ashtak (offering of eight types of substances: water, sandalwood, unbroken rice, flowers, food, lamp, incense, and fruit) to each of the Jinas.
- A Jaymala (hymn of victory) praising the Jinas and their role in removing planetary afflictions.
Specific Planet-Wise Pujas: The text then details specific pujas for each of the nine planets, associating them with particular Jinas:
- Surya (Sun) - Page 7-10: Puja to Padmaprabhu Jina.
- Chandra (Moon) - Page 11-14: Puja to Chandraprabhu Jina.
- Mangala (Mars) - Page 14-17: Puja to Vasupujya Jina.
- Budha (Mercury) - Page 18-21: Puja to eight Jinas (Vimalanatha, Anantanatha, Dharmanatha, Shantinatha, Kunthunatha, Arhanatha, Munisuvratanatha, and Vardhamanajina).
- Guru (Jupiter) - Page 22-25: Puja to eight Jinas (Rishabhadeva, Ajitanatha, Sambhavanatha, Abhinandananatha, Sumatinatha, Suparshvanatha, Shitalanatha, and Shreyansanatha).
- Shukra (Venus) - Page 25-28: Puja to Pushpadanta Jina.
- Shani (Saturn) - Page 29-32: Puja to Munisuvratanatha Jina.
- Rahu - Page 33-36: Puja to Neminatha Jina.
- Ketu - Page 37-40: Puja to Mallinatha and Parshvanatha Jinas.
Navagraha Shanti Stotra (Pages 41-42): A dedicated hymn for the peace of the nine planets. It emphasizes worshipping the Jinas according to prescribed rituals and chanting specific mantras. It also mentions the importance of the teachings of Shrutakevali Bhadrabahu for this practice.
Narmada River Siddha Jin Pooja (Pages 42-45): This section, attributed to Hakim Hazari Lal, describes a ritualistic offering to the Siddha Jinas residing on the banks of the Narmada River, which is considered a sacred practice.
Satya Pooja (Pages 45-48): Authored by Banarasidas, this section outlines a "True Worship" that focuses on venerating the Jinas for their eighteen inherent imperfections (doshas) and forty-six auspicious qualities.
Navagraha Japya (Mantras for Chanting) (Page 49): This section provides specific mantras for each planet, along with the prescribed number of repetitions (japa) for each, to be performed for peace and removal of afflictions. These mantras are primarily seed mantras (bij mantras) combined with the names of specific Jinas associated with each planet.
Navagraha Yantra (Page 50): Mentions the availability of a Navagraha Yantra (a mystical diagram) that is considered sacred and ancient.
Other Sections (Pages 50-52): These pages are advertisements for Jain religious books, mandalas (religious paintings), and other religious items, indicating the publisher's other offerings.

Key Takeaways:

The "Navgrah Arishta Nivarak Vidhan" is a practical guide for Jains to address astrological concerns through spiritual practices aligned with their faith.
It prioritizes venerating the Tirthankaras as the ultimate solution to worldly troubles, including those attributed to planetary influences.
The text serves as an educational tool to correct misconceptions about astrological remedies and guide individuals towards a more spiritually grounded approach within Jainism.
It emphasizes that true peace and well-being come from understanding and internalizing the teachings of the Jinas, rather than seeking external appeasement of celestial bodies.