Praching Poojan Sangrah

This Jain text, titled "Praching Poojan Sangrah" (Collection of Ancient Worships), compiled by Ram Chandra Jain and published by the Samast Digambar Jain Narsinhpura Samaj Gujarat, is a comprehensive compilation of various Jain rituals, hymns, and devotional practices, primarily focusing on the worship of Tirthankaras and other revered beings within the Digambar Jain tradition.

The book serves as a guide for devotional practices and includes the following key sections and themes:

I. Introduction and Purpose: The preface emphasizes the importance of worshipping the Tirthankaras as a daily duty for every Jain follower, highlighting that worship purifies the mind and dispels sins. It notes that the collection was compiled to make ancient Sanskrit and Prakrit pujas, traditionally performed by scholars and Bhattaraks, more accessible through publication. The need arose from the difficulty in reading handwritten manuscripts and the desire to preserve valuable ancient texts.

II. Table of Contents (Vishay Suchi): The book contains a vast array of rituals and worships, covering a wide spectrum of Jain devotional needs. Some of the prominent inclusions are:

• Jal Yatra Vidhi (Procession of Water)
• Sakalikaran Vidhan (Ritual of Purification and Invocation)
• Panch Kalyan (The Five Auspicious Events in a Tirthankara's Life)
• Abhishek (Ritual Bathing of the Idol)
• Various Tirthankara Pujas: Including specific pujas for Rishabhnath, Sheetlnath, Shantinath, and Parshvanath.
• Deva Puja (Worship of Deities)
• Shastra Puja (Worship of Sacred Scriptures)
• Guru Puja (Worship of Spiritual Teachers)
• Siddha Puja (Worship of Liberated Souls)
• Specific Rituals: Such as Shodash Karan Bhavna (Sixteen Principles of Right Conduct), Daslakshan Dharma Puja (Worship of Ten Virtues), Nandiishwar Dwip Puja (Worship of Nandiishwar Island), Ratnatray Puja (Worship of the Three Jewels), Pancha Meru Puja (Worship of the Five Meru Mountains), and various other devotional compositions.
• Stotras and Mantras: Including stotras for specific deities like Padmavati Devi, and auspicious chants like Shanti Path (Peace Chant).
• Aarti and Visarjan: Concluding rituals for worship.
• Laghu Homa (Yajna): Small fire sacrifice rituals.

III. Biographical Information of Authors/Composers: The text provides brief biographical sketches of the various Jain acharyas and scholars whose works are included in the collection. These individuals, often referred to as Bhattaraks or Brahmacharis, lived during various periods, primarily from the 16th to the 18th century. Notable figures mentioned include:

• Brahm Jin Das: Disciple of Bhattarak Sakalkirti and Bhuvan Kirti.
• Brahm Krishnadas: Known for his popular "Jaya Mala" and other works.
• Bhattarak Rajkirti: Associated with the Idar line of pontiffs.
• Bhattarak Udaysen: Disciple of Bhattarak Yashkirti.
• Kavi Jivanlal: A poet from Gujarat.
• Bhattarak Vishwasen: Disciple of Bhattarak Bhuvan Kirti.
• Brahm Chand Sagar: Disciple of Bhattarak Jaykirti.
• Bhattarak Chandrakirti: A learned scholar who composed many significant works.
• Brahm Gyan Sagar: A contemporary of Bhattarak Chandrakirti.
• Bhattarak Indrabhooshan: Disciple of Bhattarak Lakshmisen.
• Bhattarak Hemchandracharya: Known for his miracles and contributions to the community.
• Bhattarak Kshemkirti: A significant figure who played a role in resolving community disputes and establishing institutions.
• Bhattarak Yashkirti: A prominent figure who established educational institutions and performed numerous consecrations.
• Pandit Ram Chandra: The editor of the compilation, praised for his dedication, scholarship, and service to the Jain community.

IV. Detailed Ritual Descriptions: The book delves into the practical aspects of performing these pujas and rituals. For instance, the "Jal Yatra Vidhi" (Page 19 onwards) meticulously outlines the necessary materials, the procession to the water source, the invocation of deities, the filling of kalashas (water pots), and the subsequent return to the temple. Similarly, the "Sakalikaran Vidhan" (Page 25 onwards) details preparatory steps for the worshipper, including self-purification and the invocation of Indra.

V. Specific Pujas and Jaymalas: The compilation includes detailed procedures and lyrical compositions (Jaymalas) for worshipping various Tirthankaras and deities. These Jaymalas are often set to specific tunes and are sung during Abhishek ceremonies.

VI. Home (Yajna) and Vedic Rituals: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the procedures for performing Homa (fire rituals), including the construction of Homa Kunds (fire altars), the materials used (Sankalp, Samidha), and the specific oblations to various deities, planets, and Tirthankaras. The text explains the significance of different types of Homa like Jal Homa, Baluka Homa, and Kund Homa.

VII. Philosophical and Ethical Underpinnings: While primarily a practical guide, the underlying principles of Jainism, such as Ahimsa (non-violence), restraint, and devotion to the Tirthankaras, are implicitly present throughout the text. The inclusion of "Shodash Karan Bhavna" (Sixteen Principles of Right Conduct) and "Daslakshan Dharma Puja" (Worship of Ten Virtues) directly reflects the ethical framework of Jainism.

Overall Significance: "Praching Poojan Sangrah" is a valuable resource for the Digambar Jain community, preserving and disseminating ancient devotional practices and literature. It reflects the rich tradition of Jain ritualism and the importance placed on communal worship and spiritual learning. The effort to publish these ancient texts ensures their continued relevance and accessibility for future generations.