Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava" by Ratanchand Bharilla, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava (The Grand Festival of the Five Auspicious Events) Author: Dr. Hukumchand Bharilla Shastri Publisher: Todarmal Granthamala Jaipur

Overall Purpose:

This book is a detailed guide and explanation of the Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava, a significant ritual in Jainism. The Panchkalyanak refers to five sacred events in the life of a Tirthankar (a spiritual teacher and savior) – conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment (kevalgyan), and liberation (moksha). The Pratishtha Mahotsava is the grand ceremony performed to consecrate (install) the idols of Tirthankaras in Jain temples. The book aims to explain the significance, rituals, and underlying philosophy of this elaborate festival, emphasizing its spiritual and transformative aspects.

Key Themes and Content:

The book systematically breaks down the festival day by day, elaborating on the events and their deeper meaning.

• Popularity and Reach: The introductory sections (pages 2-6) highlight the immense popularity of Dr. Hukumchand Bharilla's work. The book has seen numerous editions in Hindi, with translations into Gujarati and Marathi, indicating its widespread appeal and importance within the Jain community. Dr. Bharilla himself is presented as a prolific scholar, preacher, and writer who significantly contributes to Jainological discourse.

• The Nature of the Festival (Day 1 - Page 9-14):

  • The Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava is described as a grand spiritual fair, attracting millions of Jains. It is not about entertainment but about samyam (restraint), tap (penance), and fostering a spiritual atmosphere.
  • The core purpose is the consecration of Jain idols (jinabimb) in temples. These idols are symbols of the vitaragi (free from passion) nature of Tirthankaras.
  • The festival is presented as a representation of the process of an soul transforming into a divine being (God). Jain philosophy posits that every soul has the potential to become a Tirthankar or God.
  • The text emphasizes that these festivals are crucial for the propagation of Jainism and establishing new temples, especially in areas where they are lacking. It advocates for a balanced approach, discouraging unnecessary temple construction but encouraging them where there is a genuine need.
  • The concept of "Ayodhyanagar" (the city of Ayodhya) as the setting for the festival for the first Tirthankar, Lord Rishabhdev, is introduced, setting the stage for the subsequent days.

• The Transformative Aspect (Day 2 - Page 15-22):

  • The festival is not just about consecrating stone or metal idols but also about the transformation of the attendees. Attendees are urged to take something valuable back with them, to learn and change their behavior.
  • Examples are given of how the experience should ideally change individuals: a mother-in-law becoming gentler, a daughter-in-law reducing reliance on cosmetics, and fathers becoming less possessive of wealth.
  • The concept of "Indra Pratishtha" is explained, where individuals are symbolically appointed as Indras (celestial beings) to perform certain rituals. This is compared to a "play" or "Ramleela" to explain its nature, emphasizing the reenactment of divine events rather than literal divine presence.
  • The distinction between a "fake" and a "true copy" (असल-नकल) is made, stating that this festival is a true copy of the original Tirthankar's Panchkalyanaks, thus carrying its spiritual benefits.
  • Attendees are encouraged to emulate the conduct of the citizens of Ayodhya during the Tirthankar's time, fostering simplicity and gentleness in their behavior.

• The Conception and Birth (Day 3 & 4 - Page 23-38):

  • Day 3 (Conception Ceremony Pre-rituals): This day focuses on the rituals leading up to conception, particularly the mother's dream of sixteen auspicious signs, signifying the descent of the Tirthankar's soul. The importance of creating an environment worthy of a Tirthankar's birth is stressed. The book also touches upon the qualities required for Tirthankar parents and the spiritual significance of embracing the role. It highlights that the desire to become a Tirthankar is more valuable than merely being their parent.
  • Day 4 (Conception Ceremony): This day delves into the Garbh Kalyanaka (conception ceremony). It addresses the question of why conception and birth are considered auspicious events for Tirthankaras. The explanation is that these are the Tirthankar's last birth, after which they attain liberation, thus ending the cycle of birth and death. For ordinary individuals, birth and death are sources of suffering, hence their celebration is not warranted in the same way. The text also discusses the practicalities of the festival, like the roles of King Nabhirai and Queen Marudevi and the symbolism behind the arrangements. It also explains the use of behavior for the sake of others (like the couple's act for the father's peace of mind) as a way to create positive outcomes.

• The Youth and Renunciation (Day 5 - Page 39-48):

  • Day 5 (Birth Ceremony): This day covers the events leading up to Diksha (renunciation), including Lord Rishabhdev's youth, his marriage to Nanda and Sunanda, his duties as a prince and king, and the birth of his children (Bharat, Bahubali, Brahmi, Sundari). It emphasizes that Rishabhdev, despite being destined for renunciation, fulfilled his responsibilities as a householder and ruler, demonstrating that spiritual inclination can coexist with worldly duties. The text highlights his role as a propagator of knowledge, including the script (Brahmi Lipi) and various arts and sciences for civilization. It also addresses the seeming contradiction between his early detachment and his later observation of a courtesan's dance, explaining it as a consequence of his parents' intense desire for him to remain in worldly life and the inherent nature of his role as a Tirthankar.
  • Day 6 (Renunciation Ceremony): This day focuses on the Diksha Kalyanaka (renunciation ceremony). Key events discussed include:
    • Neelanjana's Dance: The incident where the dancer Neelanjana dies mid-performance, highlighting the impermanence of life and the world's superficiality, leading to Rishabhdev's detachment.
    • The Four Thousand Kings: The fact that 4,000 kings renounced along with Rishabhdev, but without proper understanding of the monastic path, faced difficulties and were eventually dissuaded from continuing as monks by Indra. This serves as a cautionary tale against imitation without true conviction and understanding.
    • Aharadan (Alms-giving): The 6-month period Rishabhdev remained without food after his renunciation, and the subsequent 7 months and 9 days until King Shreyans of Hastinapur remembered the correct method of offering alms. This highlights the importance of correct rituals and understanding. The day of the first Aharadan is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya. The book explains the strict rules of Aharadan for monks, such as eating once a day, in small quantities, standing, and not accepting food prepared specifically for them (madhukari vritti).

• Enlightenment (Day 7 - Page 49-89):

  • Day 7 (Enlightenment Ceremony): This day is dedicated to the Kevalgyan Kalyanaka (attainment of omniscience). It explains that Kevalgyan is the complete, direct, and unhindered knowledge of all substances and their states in the universe.
  • Samosharan: The divine assembly hall of a Tirthankar is described in detail, including its spherical structure, the various sections for different beings (monks, nuns, lay followers, celestial beings, animals), and the concept of the Tirthankar's presence appearing to face everyone simultaneously. The lavish arrangements, including gardens and stages, are explained as a method to deter those with worldly attachments and attract only the sincere seekers.
  • Divya Dhwani: The nature of the Tirthankar's divine speech is discussed – it is a single, sacred syllable (Omkar) that, upon reaching the listener's ear, transforms into their own language, conveying profound spiritual truths. The book emphasizes that the true essence of the divine speech is the self (the soul), and understanding this is the key to spiritual progress.
  • Determinism vs. Free Will: The book addresses the concept of a predetermined future implied by omniscience. It clarifies that while the future is known, individual effort (purusharth) is still crucial for spiritual progress. The Tirthankar's foreknowledge of events like Marichi becoming the 24th Tirthankar demonstrates the certainty of events within the framework of karma and destiny.
  • The Importance of Understanding True Dev, Shastra, and Guru: It is stressed that understanding the nature of omniscience is fundamental to recognizing the true nature of God, scriptures, and spiritual guides. Without this understanding, true devotion and spiritual practice are impossible.
  • Focus on Self-Realization: The core message is to focus on realizing one's own divine soul, as this is the path to liberation.

• Liberation (Day 8 - Page 90-96):

  • Day 8 (Liberation Ceremony): This day marks the Moksha Kalyanaka (liberation ceremony). Lord Rishabhdev attained liberation from Kailash Parvat. The atmosphere is described as one of solemn contemplation rather than boisterous celebration, as it signifies a departure.
  • Reflection and Commitment: Attendees are encouraged to reflect on their own spiritual progress and commit to practicing the teachings they have learned.
  • The Value of the Human Life: The book stresses the preciousness of human life and the limited time available for spiritual practice. It urges people not to waste this opportunity.
  • The Impact of One's Behavior: The way attendees behave after the festival will influence others' perceptions of Jainism and its events. They are encouraged to share positive experiences and spiritual learnings, rather than focusing on organizational shortcomings.
  • Choosing Spiritual Gifts: When giving gifts, it is suggested to offer religious books or audio/video recordings of discourses rather than material possessions, as these contribute to spiritual growth.
  • Inner Transformation: The ultimate goal is inner transformation and self-realization, leading to liberation. The festival is a means to that end.

Key Takeaways:

• The Panchkalyanak Pratishtha Mahotsava is a deeply spiritual event that mirrors the journey of a soul towards divinity.
• It is a time for learning, reflection, and making sincere commitments to spiritual practice.
• The book advocates for understanding the philosophy behind the rituals, rather than just participating mechanically.
• The emphasis is on inner transformation and self-improvement, with the ultimate goal of achieving liberation.
• The teachings of Jainism, especially the path to self-realization through samyak darshan, samyak gyan, and samyak charitra (right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct), are central to the festival's message.
• The book serves as a valuable resource for Jains to understand and appreciate the profound significance of these sacred events.