Saral Jain Lagna Vidhi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Saral Jain Lagna Vidhi" by Shantilal Chhaganlal Gandhi:

Book Title: Saral Jain Lagna Vidhi (Simple Jain Wedding Rituals) Author: Shantilal Chhaganlal Gandhi Publisher: Digambar Jain Pustakalay, Surat Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/032877/1

Overall Purpose: This book serves as a practical guide for conducting Jain weddings and other significant religious ceremonies according to the Digambar Jain tradition. It aims to provide detailed instructions for performing these rituals in a simple, clear, and accessible manner, ensuring adherence to Jain principles and customs. The book emphasizes the importance of performing these ceremonies with a focus on righteousness, non-violence, and spiritual well-being.

Key Contents and Sections:

1. Introduction and General Instructions:

   • The book references ancient Jain texts mentioning various samskaras (rites of passage), including 5 and 16 samskaras, and highlights that marriage is a key among them.
   • It defines marriage in the Jain context as encompassing five key elements: engagement (Vagdan), presentation (Pradan), acceptance (Swikar), handshake (Hastamelap), and the seven steps (Saptapadi). Marriage is considered complete only after the Saptapadi.
   • General instructions cover practical advice like using filtered water, performing specific pujas at the temple, timing of ceremonies, and arrangements for the wedding mandap.
   • It clarifies that if specific ritualistic items like Vinayak Yantra or Siddha Yantra are unavailable, alternatives like Jinavani (scriptures) can be used.
   • A crucial instruction is to perform weddings during the daytime, specifically between 48 minutes after sunrise and 48 minutes before sunset, avoiding the midday period.
   • The text also emphasizes that if the bride becomes menstrually impure during the wedding days, the wedding should be postponed until she is purified.

2. Core Wedding Rituals (Lagana Vidhi): The book meticulously details the sequence of events during a wedding ceremony:

   • Lighting of the Lamp (Deep Pragatyavan): Symbolizing auspiciousness and dispelling darkness.
   • Installation of the Auspicious Kalash (Mangal Kalash Sthapana): A pot filled with water, symbolizing prosperity and purity.
   • Purification Mantras, Tilak, and Raksha Bandhan: Applying sacred marks and tying protective threads.
   • Mangalashtak: Chanting auspicious verses.
   • Japa Mantra: Reciting specific mantras.
   • Commencement of Puja (Puja Prarambh): Offering worship.
   • Aahuti Vidhi (Offering to the Sacred Fire): This section includes a significant discussion later in the book about the Jain perspective on fire rituals, emphasizing non-violence and offering items symbolically rather than through literal burning in a fire pit.
   • Knot Tying (Chheda Bandhan): Tying the ends of the bride's and groom's garments.
   • Face Viewing Ceremony (Mukhavalokan Vidhi): Where the bride and groom see each other.
   • Giving and Receiving Ceremony (Pradan Vidhi): Formal exchange of gifts and the bride's parents offering their daughter.
   • Acceptance Ceremony (Varan Vidhi): The groom's acceptance of the bride.
   • Handshake Ceremony (Hastamelap): The formal joining of hands.
   • Saptapadi (Seven Steps): The seven circumambulations around the sacred fire or a sacred object, symbolizing their union.
   • Aarti: A ritualistic waving of lamps, accompanied by devotional songs.
   • Punyaahvachan (Invoking Auspiciousness): Chanting for blessings.
   • Shanti Path (Peace Chants): Reciting verses for peace and well-being.
   • Visarjan (Conclusion): The conclusion of the ritual.

3. Discussion on Fire Rituals (Havan):

   • A significant portion of the book (Pages 8-9) strongly advocates against performing fire rituals (Havan) in the traditional Vedic sense within the Digambar Jain tradition.
   • It quotes various Jain acharyas and scholars who state that Havan is not an original Jain custom and can cause harm to living beings (Agni Kayik Jiva, Tras Jiva).
   • The emphasis is on inner renunciation and the protection of all life forms (Ahimsa Paramo Dharma) as the true Jain rituals. Offerings can be made symbolically with flowers rather than through burning.

4. Other Important Ceremonies:

   • Flag Hoisting Ceremony (Dhvajarohan Vidhi): Rituals related to hoisting a flag on the temple spire, often accompanied by devotional songs (Bhajans).
   • Diwali Saraswati Puja (Chopda Puja): Worship of books and scriptures, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge.

5. Detailed Ritualistic Steps:

   • Anganyas (Body Consecration): A detailed procedure involving reciting mantras and touching different parts of the body to invoke blessings and protection from the Panch Parmeshthis (Arhant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).
   • Preparation for Rituals: Instructions on preparing sacred items, setting up the mandap, and the symbolic representations of divine entities.
   • Specific Mantras and Prayers: Numerous mantras and devotional songs are provided for various stages of the ceremony, invoking the blessings of Tirthankaras, Panch Parmeshthis, and other revered figures.

6. Engagement (Vagdan):

   • Involves calling upon respected individuals, checking horoscopes, and observing auspicious signs for the engagement.
   • The marriage invitation card (Lagana Patrika) is prepared, detailing the date and time. The bride's mother typically receives the invitation with auspicious items.

7. Various Pujas and Offerings:

   • The book details pujas for deities, scriptures, and specific Tirthankaras, including the Panch Parmeshthis.
   • It explains how to perform "Samuchchay Puja" (collective worship) and offers specific prayers and mantras for different types of offerings (water, sandalwood, rice, flowers, etc.).
   • Jaymala (garland exchange) is described as a significant part of the wedding.

8. Marriage Vows (Saat Vachan):

   • A crucial and unique aspect described is the seven vows exchanged between the bride and groom, outlining their mutual responsibilities and commitments in married life, ensuring the sanctity of the Jain household and spiritual progress. These vows cover respect for elders, obedience, kind speech, hospitality, religious adherence, secrecy, and fidelity.

9. Emphasis on Jain Principles:

   • Throughout the book, there's a strong emphasis on upholding Jain principles like non-violence, truthfulness, and avoiding harmful practices.
   • It discourages ostentatious displays and wasteful expenditure, promoting simplicity and devotion.
   • The book also strongly advises against dowry (Dahej) and other social evils that conflict with Jain values.

10. Concluding Remarks:

    • The book concludes with blessings, prayers for peace and prosperity, and encouragement for followers to perform these rituals with devotion and adherence to Jain Dharma. It also highlights the importance of charity (Dana).

In essence, "Saral Jain Lagna Vidhi" is a comprehensive manual designed to guide Digambar Jains through their significant life events, particularly weddings, ensuring that these ceremonies are conducted in a spiritually meaningful, simple, and ethically sound manner, rooted deeply in Jain philosophy and teachings. It empowers individuals to perform these rituals themselves or with minimal guidance, promoting self-reliance and a deeper understanding of their religious heritage.