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Pistalis Agam Mahapujan Vidhi

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Pistalis Agam Mahapujan Vidhi

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pistalis Agam Mahapujan Vidhi" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Pistalis Agam Mahapujan Vidhi (Procedure for the Grand Puja of the 45 Agams) Author(s): Muni Deepratnasagar, Deepratnasagar Publisher: Agam Shrut Prakashan

Overall Purpose:

This book, "Pistalis Agam Mahapujan Vidhi," is a detailed manual outlining the procedure for performing a grand puja (worship ceremony) dedicated to the 45 Agams (sacred Jain scriptures). It serves as a guide for conducting this elaborate ritual, likely for a Jain community or temple setting. The text emphasizes the importance of devotion, adherence to tradition, and the spiritual significance of each step.

Key Content and Structure:

The provided pages cover the preparatory stages, the ritualistic steps, and the specific hymns and verses used during the puja.

1. Introduction and Acknowledgements (Pages 1-2):

  • The book begins with salutations and dedications.
  • Page 1: Features a salutation "Namo Namo Nirmal Darshans" and identifies Muni Deepratnasagar as the compiler of the ritual.
  • Page 2: Dedicates the work to Param Pujya Gurumata Ratnatrayashriji M.Sa. and mentions the inspirational role of Sa. Shri Saumyaguna Shri ji M.Sa. It also includes salutations to Pujya Shri Anand-Kshama-Lalit-Sushil-Sudharmasagar Gurubhyo Namah.

2. Publisher and Author Information (Page 3):

  • Clearly states the book title as "45 Agam Mahapujan Vidhi" and provides the publication number (139).
  • Identifies Muni Shri Deepratnasagar as the compiler and researcher/translator of the 45 Agams into Gujarati. His academic qualifications (M.Com., M.Ed., Ph.D. Equivalent) are mentioned.
  • The publisher is "Agam Shrut Prakashan," with the publication date in the Vikram Samvat calendar (2014, Maha Sud-5, i.e., 1/2/98).
  • The price is mentioned as Rs. 40.

3. Preparatory Steps for the Puja Mandap (Page 4):

  • This section details the extensive preparations required to set up the puja area.
    • Agam Structures: Preparation of 45 "chhod" (structures representing the Agams), including canopies (chanderwa), torans (decorative strings), and other decorative elements.
    • Materials: Gathering of necessary materials like ropes, wires, nails, hammers, safety pins for the structures.
    • Placement: Arranging the 1-23 Agams on one side and 24-45 on the other, with a central altar (trigadu).
    • Identification: Creating nameplates for each Agam.
    • Altars/Tables: Setting up tables at about 2.5 feet height below each Agam structure, covered with white cloth.
    • Sacred Objects: Placing "sapada" (platforms) on each table, with a cloth ("Agam no Rumal") on top, where the sacred Agams will be placed one by one as their puja is performed.
    • Thalis (Plates): Arranging five large thalis in front of the sapada, meant for placing offerings like fruits and sweets during the puja.
    • Colored Rice: Preparation of colored rice (white, red, yellow, green, black) for creating "Nandavart Sathiya" (auspicious symbols) in the thalis.
    • Identification Banners: Hanging banners or plates that identify each Agam.
  • This meticulous preparation ensures a well-organized and auspicious setting for the puja.

4. Further Preparations and Puja Materials (Pages 5-6):

  • Diya (Lamp) Preparation: Details on preparing 45 lamps using glass tumblers or copper cups, including instructions for lighting them with ghee-soaked wicks or using colored water in glass lamps.
  • Vasa-kshep (Consecrated Rice): Instructions on consecrating rice with aromatic substances and mantras, and then passing it through specific hand gestures (mudras) representing Devanu, Pancha-parmeshthi, Saurabhya, Anjali, and Garuda.
  • Installation of Deities: Instructions for installing the idol of the Supreme Being in the trigadu, performing a ritualistic bath (snatra), installing the yantra (sacred diagram), and placing the idols of Ganadharas (disciples of Tirthankaras).
  • Pooja Samagri (Puja Materials): An extensive list of all required items, categorized as:
    • Agam structures (reiteration).
    • Table arrangements and decorations.
    • Miscellaneous items (pins, ropes, nails, scissors, etc.).
    • Utensils (thalis, dishes, bowls, buckets, pots, etc.).
    • Temple items (altars, deities, lamps, fans, mirrors, etc.).
    • Items for Aarti (lamps for 108 lamps, flower offerings, etc.).
    • Water puja items (water, rose water, milk, ghee, curd, sugar, etc.).
    • Sandalwood/Fragrance puja items (saffron, rice, perfume, Ashtagandha, etc.).
    • Flower puja items (roses, white flowers).
    • Incense puja items (incense sticks, stands).
    • Lamp puja items (glass lamps, wicks, ghee).
    • Akshat puja items (rice for various symbols and mandalas, colored powders).
    • Naivedya puja items (sweets like peda, sukhadi, laddus, barfi, etc.).
    • Fruit puja items (coconuts, sugarcane, apples, oranges, pomegranates, etc.).
    • Other items (platforms, puja books, cash, betel leaves, etc.).
    • Decoration items (torans, garlands, lights).
  • Required Personnel: Lists the specific roles needed for conducting the puja (person to lead, Yantra puja person, Mandala puja person, plate-beater, etc.).
  • Valayas (Circles): Mentions circles for different categories of spiritual knowledge (Ang, Upang, etc.).

5. Day 1 of the 45 Agam Mahapujan (Page 7):

  • Agam Stuti (Praise of Agams): Includes verses that praise the Angas and Upangas of the Agams, emphasizing their spiritual significance.
  • Pancha Namaskara Mantra: Recitation of the Navkar mantra.
  • Kumbha Sthapana Vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Pot): Detailed steps for consecrating and installing a pot, including mantras, offerings, and symbolic actions. This pot is considered auspicious.
  • Deep Sthapana Vidhi (Procedure for Establishing the Lamp): Detailed steps for preparing and lighting a lamp, emphasizing its spiritual significance as a symbol of knowledge and purification.

6. Purification and Invocation Rituals (Pages 8-10):

  • Bhoomi Shuddhi (Earth Purification): Mantras and symbolic actions for purifying the ground, invoking deities like Vayu Devata (Wind God) and Meghkumar Devata (Cloud God).
  • Sakalikaran Nyas (Sealing/Energizing Ritual): A ritual involving placing specific syllables of a mantra on different parts of the body and the puja area.
  • Kara Nyas (Hand Ritual): Performing specific hand gestures with mantras to invoke the presence of deities.
  • Vajra Panjar Stotra (Diamond Cage Stotra): A protective chant for self-defense during the ritual.

7. Specific Puja Procedures and Mantras (Pages 11-18):

  • This section details the performance of the "Ashta Prakari Puja" (puja with eight types of offerings) for each Agam.
    • Chhotikan Nyas (Sprinkling Ritual): Ritualistic sprinkling of consecrated rice with specific mantras for directional purification.
    • Kshetrapal Puja (Worship of the Guardian Deity): Offering a coconut and flower to the Kshetrapal.
    • Peeth Sthapana (Establishing the Seat): Invoking the presence of the "Agam Purusha" (embodiment of the Agams).
    • Yantra Sthapana (Establishing the Yantra): Placing the sacred diagram.
    • Mudra Panchak Aahvan (Invocation of Five Mudras): Performing specific hand gestures to invoke, establish, and maintain the presence of the deity.
    • Dhan Surabhi Mudra (Fragrant Cow Mudra): A ritual to re-energize and sanctify the deity.
    • Anjali Mudra (Salutation Mudra): Offering worship and prayer.
    • Pravachan Devata Aahvan (Invocation of the Deity of Discourse): Invoking the deity associated with the scriptures.
    • Initiating the Mahapuja: The music conductor is instructed to play specific tunes.
  • Instructions for Puja:
    • Recitation of Pujas: Chanting specific "pujas" (devotional songs/verses) before each Agam puja.
    • Singing Doha: Singing Ashtaprakari puja Doha (couplets) and then performing the puja with specific items like water, sandalwood, flowers, incense, lamps, unbroken rice, naivedya (sweets), and fruits.
    • Plate Procession: Carrying the puja thalis in a procession around the Agam structures.
    • Placing the Agam: Carefully placing each Agam on its designated platform.
    • Performing the Eightfold Puja: Detailed instructions for each of the eight offerings (Jal, Chandan, Pushpa, Dhup, Deep, Akshat, Naivedya, Phal, Abushan) including specific Doha and mantras. The option of using shorter mantras if time is limited is also provided.
    • Example: Acharyanga Sutra Puja: Demonstrates the detailed procedure for the first Agam, highlighting the use of specific verses (Doha) and mantras.
  • The text continues to detail the puja for each of the initial 23 Agams, with specific verses and instructions for each.

8. Second Day of Mahapujan (Pages 40-65):

  • Morning Stuti: Includes prayers and praises before commencing the puja on the second day, mentioning Ganadharas, Pratyeka Buddhas, and Suris.
  • Worship of Three Deities:
    • Sudharma Swami Puja: Worship of the chief Ganadhara.
    • Guru Paduka Puja: Worship of the Guru's sandals, signifying respect for spiritual teachers.
    • Shrut Devata Puja: Worship of the deity of scriptures.
  • Puja for Agams 24-45: Continues the detailed Ashtaprakari puja for the remaining 22 Agams, following the same format as the first day.
  • Specific Agam Pujas: Each of the remaining Agams from 24 to 45 is dedicated a specific page or more, with its own unique introductory verses and puja instructions. Examples include:
    • Chaturdash Sharan Panna
    • Aatur Pratyakhyan Panna
    • Mahapratiyakhyaan Panna
    • Bhaktavatsala Panna
    • Tandul Vicharik Panna
    • Ganividya Panna
    • Chandavijay Panna
    • Devendra Stava Panna
    • Maranasamadhi Panna
    • Samstarak Panna
    • Dashashrutskandh Chhed Sutra
    • Brihatkalp Chhed Sutra
    • Vyavahar Chhed Sutra
    • Jitkalp Chhed Sutra
    • Laghunishith Chhed Sutra
    • Mahanishith Chhed Sutra
    • Aavashyak Mool Sutra
    • Dashvaikalik Mool Sutra
    • Uttaradhyayan Mool Sutra
    • Pind Niyukti Mool Sutra
    • Nandisutra
    • Anuyogdwar Sutra
  • Kalash: Concludes with the "Kalash" (auspicious pot) puja and verses praising the 45 Agams and their spiritual significance. It mentions specific dates and lineage of Gurus.
  • 16 Vidya Devis Puja: A ritual for worshipping the 16 Vidyadevis (goddesses of knowledge) with specific mantras.

9. Final Rituals (Page 66-67):

  • Panch Prakar Snatra: Describes the ritualistic bathing of the Yantra with five types of sacred liquids (milk, curd, ghee, sugarcane juice, and scented water), accompanied by specific mantras and verses.
  • Post-Snatra Rituals: Cleaning the Yantra, performing Aarti, Mangal Deep (auspicious lamp), and Shanti Kalash (peace pot).
  • Kshama Prarthana (Prayer for Forgiveness): A concluding prayer for forgiveness for any errors committed during the puja.
  • Visarjan Mantra: A mantra for the ritualistic departure of the deities.
  • Donors: Acknowledges the financial supporters of the publication.
  • Contact Information: Provides contact details for the "Agam Aradhana Kendra."

Key Themes and Significance:

  • Devotion and Reverence: The entire text is imbued with a sense of deep devotion towards the Jain Agams and the Tirthankaras.
  • Ritualistic Purity: Emphasis is placed on the meticulous preparation and execution of each ritualistic step to ensure purity and auspiciousness.
  • Spiritual Knowledge: The 45 Agams are presented as a source of profound spiritual knowledge, leading to liberation.
  • Community Participation: The detailed procedures suggest a communal effort in performing such a grand puja.
  • Traditional Practices: The book preserves and disseminates traditional Jain puja practices.

In essence, "Pistalis Agam Mahapujan Vidhi" is a comprehensive guide that meticulously details how to perform a significant Jain ritual of worshipping the 45 Agams, encompassing all aspects from physical setup to spiritual invocation and concluding prayers.