Navpad Oli Vidhi

This document, titled "Navpad Oli Vidhi" (The Ritual of the Nine Auspicious Entities), authored by Yogesh Shah and published by Bharat K. Shah, is a comprehensive guide to performing a significant Jain ritual. The text meticulously outlines the procedures, timings, and observances associated with the "Navpad Oli" (a nine-day fasting and worship period focused on the nine supreme beings in Jainism: Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu, Darshan, Gyan, Charitra, and Tap).

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the document:

1. Initiation and Duration:

• The ritual should ideally commence with the Aaso (Ashvin) month's Oli.
• If there are no variations in lunar dates, it starts on the 7th day of the waxing moon of Ashvin or Chaitra.
• If there are date fluctuations, it can start from the 6th or 8th day of the waxing moon, continuing until the 15th day.
• During these nine days, the practitioner must observe Ayambil (a specific type of fasting where food is eaten only once a day, with food that is pure, unsalted, unseasoned, and cooked without milk or oil).
• The Oli must be performed continuously for four and a half years.

2. Daily Observances (General Requirements): The document lists a series of essential daily practices to be performed throughout the nine days:

• Morning: Waking up before sunrise, performing nighttime Pratikraman (repentance ritual) in a subdued voice, performing Kayotsarga (standing meditation) for a duration corresponding to the number of virtues of the day's respective Pad, performing Paddilehan (purification of utensils and instruments), offering Devavandan (obeisance to the deities) with eight types of prayers (Athththoy), worshipping the Siddha Chakra Yantra with Vakshep (colored rice), performing Chaityavandan (temple worship) before nine different temples or idols.
• Midday: Visiting a guru, listening to a discourse (Vyakhyan), undertaking Pachchakkhan (vow), bathing and purifying oneself, performing Snatra (bathing the idol) and Ashtaprakari Puja (eight-fold worship). After the puja, performing Aarti (worship with lamp) and Mangaldeep (auspicious lamp), offering a Shanti Kalash (peace pot) with the idol's water. Performing Devavandan again.
• Afternoon/Evening: Offering Pradakshina (circumambulation) and Khamasamana (a specific respectful posture) for a number of times equal to the virtues of the day's Pad. Performing Ayambil and then a Trivihar (three-fold abstention) Pachchakkhan. After Ayambil, using water after Chaityavandan. For those who observe Chaturvihar (four-fold abstention), Chaityavandan is not required. Performing Paddilehan before sunset, followed by Devavandan. Visiting the temple for Darshan (seeing the idol), performing Aarti and Mangaldeep. Performing daytime Pratikraman. Reciting twenty Navkarwalis (a specific mantra repetition) dedicated to the day's Pad.
• Night: Listening to the "Shripal Raja no Ras" (a devotional ballad about King Shripal). After one prahar (three hours) of the night has passed, reciting verses of the Santhanthara Porisi Sutra and sleeping on the Santhanthara (a ritualistic bed). The day's rituals must be completed before sleeping.

3. Essential Instructions for Participants:

• Control of Emotions and Speech: Abstain from anger (Kashay) and frivolous talk (Vikatha).
• Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Avoid and prevent all forms of harm (Arambha) as much as possible. Practice utmost non-violence.
• Purity: Abstain from using living water (Sachchitt Pani) except for deity worship.
• Celibacy: Observe strict celibacy in thought, word, and deed throughout the period. Avoid lustful glances.
• Mindfulness in Movement: Exercise extreme caution and mindfulness (Iryasmiti) while walking and moving.
• Care with Objects: Handle and place any item with utmost care, using instruments (Katasanu) and spreading mats (Santhariyu) with prescribed precautions and purification.
• Hygiene: Dispose of saliva, phlegm, and mucus properly in a handkerchief to protect living beings.
• Silence: Maintain silence during Pratikraman, Paddilehan, Devavandan, deity worship, counting mantras, consuming food, and while walking.
• Attitude during Ayambil: Do not develop attachment or aversion to food, whether it is good or bad. Avoid making noise while eating. Eat mindfully to prevent any waste.
• Fourteen Vows: Continuously uphold the fourteen vows.
• Water Usage: Immediately wipe clean any vessel used for drinking water to prevent the generation of minute organisms.
• Cleanliness: Use only unblemished and washed vessels and clothes. Avoid worn or torn items.
• Stability: Ensure that the planks (Patlao) used for meals are stable.
• Respect for Sacred Items: Keep Navkarwalis, books, and other sacred items in clean and elevated places. Avoid placing them carelessly on Katasanu.
• Diligence: Perform all rituals standing, with vigilance and without negligence.

4. Specific Rituals Detailed:

• Kayotsarga (Meditation): The process of performing Kayotsarga is described, including the initial prayers and the duration based on Logass Sutra.
• Paddilehan (Purification): The method for performing Paddilehan for all ritualistic items is explained, including the process of cleaning the Kajo (a cleaning brush).
• Chaityavandan (Temple Worship): The procedure for Chaityavandan after Ayambil is detailed, including variations for temple worship versus other locations.
• Navpad Mandap (Mandala Creation): Instructions are given for creating a sacred mandala using five types of grains, placing coconuts, fruits, arranging for deities, nine planets, and ten guardians, and adorning it with gold and silver leaf and flags.
• Parana Day (Breaking the Fast): Specific rituals for the day of breaking the fast are outlined, including observing Biyasana (eating twice), performing Pratikraman, Paddilehan, Devavandan, Vakshep Puja, Guru Vandana, bathing, Snatra, and Sattarvedi Puja (seventeen-fold worship). The count of Navkarwalis, Kayotsarga, Pradakshina, and Khamasamana are specified for this day.

5. Daily Breakdown of the Nine Padas: The document then proceeds to detail the specific observances for each of the nine Padas (days), including:

• Pad Name: The specific deity or virtue being worshipped.
• Color: The associated color for grains used in Ayambil and offerings.
• Virtues (Gun): The number of virtues associated with that Pad.
• Navkarwali: The number of repetitions of the Navkar mantra.
• Kayotsarga/Logass: The duration or number of Logass Sutras to be recited.
• Swastik/Pradakshina: The number of auspicious symbols or circumambulations to be performed.
• Khamasamana: The number of respectful postures to be offered.
• Ayambil Grain: The type of grain for the Ayambil fast.
• Doha/Stavan/Chaitryavandan: Specific prayers, verses, and praises related to the particular Pad.

This detailed breakdown covers all nine days, from Arihant Pad to Tap Pad, providing specific numerical targets for various observances and devotional verses.

6. Santhanthara Porisi Sutra: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to reciting the Santhanthara Porisi Sutra, which is a set of verses related to ritualistic sleeping and detachment.

7. Overall Purpose: The "Navpad Oli Vidhi" serves as a practical manual for Jain devotees to perform the "Navpad Oli" ritual with utmost devotion and adherence to prescribed guidelines. It aims to facilitate spiritual purification, merit accumulation, and ultimately, liberation. The text emphasizes the importance of discipline, mindfulness, and faith throughout the process.