Vir Mitroday Puja Prakash - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Vir Mitroday Puja Prakash" by Vishnuprasad Sharma, based on the scanned pages:

Book Title: Vir Mitroday Puja Prakash (वीरमित्रोदयः। पूजाप्रकाशः) Author: Vishnuprasad Sharma (संपादितः साहित्योपाध्यायविष्णुप्रसादशर्मणा) Original Author of Vir Mitrodaya: Mahamahopadhyaya Mitra Mishra (महामहोपाध्यायश्री मित्रमिश्रविरचितः) Publisher: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office (चौखम्बा संस्कृत ग्रन्थमाला) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/020900/1

Overall Scope:

The scanned pages from "Vir Mitroday Puja Prakash" focus on various aspects of Deva Puja (worship of deities), primarily drawing from Hindu scriptural traditions, but within the context of a Jain publication. The text meticulously details the principles, practices, and benefits associated with divine worship, citing numerous ancient Indian texts and authorities. While the introductory pages and the initial discussions on who can perform puja and when might touch upon broader Indian religious principles, the bulk of the content delves into the specifics of worshipping Vishnu and His various forms (like Narasimha, Trivikrama, Vithoba, etc.).

Key Themes and Content:

Definition and Nature of Puja:
- Puja is defined as an act of offering substances with the intention of pleasing a deity.
- Even actions not traditionally considered offerings (like aavahana - invocation) are included within the scope of puja, as evidenced by the use of the term "puja" for all sixteen upacharas (services/offerings) in scriptures.
- The term "puja" is seen as a broad term for actions that evoke affection and pleasure in a deity, similar to how "Rajsuya" encompasses various rituals.
- The text acknowledges the philosophical distinction that internal senses are absent in God, but affection is understood as a special maya (illusory) activity.
Eligibility for Performing Puja (Adhikari):
- The text extensively discusses who is eligible to perform worship. It quotes from various scriptures (Narasimhayoga, Devi Purana, Smrityarthasara, etc.) to establish that Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, women, Shudras, and even outcastes (Antyajatis) are generally permitted to perform puja with devotion.
- The eligibility is based on the principle that devotion and adherence to scriptural injunctions are paramount.
- Certain passages suggest that while all are eligible, the quality or acceptance of the puja might vary based on one's adherence to ashrama (stages of life) or scriptural knowledge.
- Specific qualifications are mentioned for performing puja for the deity's idols, including knowledge of scriptures, the matrumandala (group of mothers), and Tantric knowledge. Unqualified, hypocritical, or incompetent individuals are deemed unsuitable.
- The right to perform puja is also extended to those residing together, like sons and brothers, under certain conditions.
Timing of Puja (Puja Kala):
- The text outlines various times for performing puja, citing sources like the Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, and Narada Purana.
- Common times include after the madhyahnikatarpanam (midday ablutions) and before Vaishvadeva (daily offerings to spirits), or after Vaishvadeva.
- Purvahna (forenoon) is generally recommended for all divine duties, as per Narasimha Purana.
- Puja can be performed thrice daily: morning, noon, and evening, akin to the daily Sandhya rituals.
- In cases of inability to perform the full ritual, even a simple offering of flowers (pushpanjali) in the afternoon and evening is acceptable.
Benefits of Worshipping Specific Deities (Phalani):
- The text details the specific benefits derived from worshipping different deities. For instance:
  - Surya (Sun): For health and well-being.
  - Agni (Fire): For wealth.
  - Shankara (Shiva): For knowledge.
  - Janardana (Vishnu): For liberation (moksha).
  - Skanda: For success.
  - Mahaganapati: For overall prosperity and success in endeavors.
  - Durga: For liberation and prosperity.
- Worshipping Vishnu is particularly lauded for bestowing desired goals, wealth, righteousness, and liberation. Worshipping Vinayaka (Ganesha) removes obstacles.
- Performing acts like massaging the tired, caring for the sick, cleaning the feet of Brahmins, donating cows, studying Vedas, and bathing in rivers are equated with great merit and the destruction of sins.
Excellence of Vishnu Puja (Vishnu Pujayam Utkarsha):
- Several passages emphasize the supreme importance and merit of worshipping Vishnu.
- It states that no Vedic ritual yields more merit than worshipping Vishnu.
- Neglecting Vishnu worship is considered a grave offense, leading to severe consequences in this life and the next, including rebirth in hell or as lower beings.
- Even those who are otherwise fallen can attain Vishnu's abode by consistently worshipping Him.
Places of Deva Puja (Sthanavisesha):
- The text enumerates various acceptable locations for worship, including:
  - Water, Fire, Sun, Sky (mental presence), Altar (Sthandila), Idols/Images, Earth, and Brahmins.
  - The presence of deities is considered in these locations.
  - Brahmins are considered paramount as embodiments of all deities.
  - Specific locations are mentioned for particular deities, such as the Shaligram stone for Vishnu and the Lingam for Shiva.
- The text details the significance and proper use of Shaligram stones, including their auspiciousness, various marks, colors, and shapes, and the benefits of worshipping them.
- It also discusses the types of Shaligrams to be avoided, detailing specific defects that render them inauspicious.
- The text emphasizes that worship should ideally not be performed solely on the bare ground.
- For householders, Shiva puja is not to be performed in water.
- The practice of worshipping deities in Kumbha (pots) during festivals and on Kamalapari (lotus-shaped patterns) is also mentioned.
Materials for Worship (Pushpam, Gandha, Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya, Vastra, Yajnopavita):
- Flowers (Pushpam): Extensive details are provided on the significance of various flowers, with a strong emphasis on Tulsi (Basil) as the most beloved and meritorious offering for Vishnu. Other auspicious flowers and those to be avoided are also listed. The origin, color, scent, and freshness of flowers are discussed in relation to their efficacy in worship.
- Fragrances (Gandha): The text discusses various fragrant substances like sandalwood, aguru, camphor, musk, saffron, etc., and their merits when used in worship.
- Incense (Dhupa): Different types of incense made from resins, aromatics, and wood are discussed, along with their respective effects and deities they please.
- Lamps (Deepa): The importance of lighting lamps with ghee or oil for Vishnu is highlighted, along with the merits of using specific wicks and oils, especially during auspicious times like Amavasya and Dwadashi.
- Offerings (Naivedya): A wide variety of permissible food items, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are listed for offering to Vishnu. The text also specifies foods to be avoided. The importance of offering fresh, pure, and pleasing food is stressed.
- Vastram (Garments): The text discusses the use of pure, new, beautiful, and soft garments for adorning deities, and the merit gained from such offerings.
- Yajnopavita (Sacred Thread): The offering of a sacred thread is mentioned as a means to gain Vedic knowledge.
Rituals and Practices:
- Purification: The importance of purifying oneself, the place, vessels, and the deity's image is emphasized.
- Invocation and Offering of Services (Upacharas): The text lists the sixteen common upacharas and the mantras to be used.
- Aarti (Waving of Lamps): The significance of performing Aarti, especially with camphor, is highlighted.
- Circumambulation (Pradakshina) and Prostration (Namaskara): The merits of performing pradakshina and various forms of prostration (e.g., ashtanga, panchanga) are explained.
- Music, Dance, and Chanting (Geeta, Nritya, Vadhya, Stotra): The text mentions the auspiciousness of singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, and reciting hymns and prayers during worship, equating them with great spiritual merit.
- Donations (Dravya Daan) and Fire Sacrifice (Homa): The merits of offering donations and performing fire sacrifices with specific materials are discussed.
- Handling of Nirmalya (Worn Flowers/Offerings): Specific rules are given for handling and disposing of or re-using nirmalya.
- Use of Conch Shell (Shankha): The sacredness of the conch shell and the merit of using its water in worship are detailed.
Specific Details and Interpretations:
- The text often quotes directly from Puranas, Smritis, and other ancient texts to support its points.
- It provides interpretations of potentially conflicting scriptural statements, sometimes referencing different schools of thought or specific contexts.
- There's a clear emphasis on adherence to scriptural injunctions and the devotional attitude (bhava) as the primary factors for effective worship.
- The latter part of the scanned text (pages 103 onwards) starts outlining specific worship procedures, referencing texts like Grihya Parishishta and Shaunaka, and detailing the steps of purification, mantra recitation, and the arrangement of deities and their accompaniments in the worship space.

Target Audience and Purpose:

This work appears to be a detailed guide for devotees, scholars, and priests seeking to understand the scriptural basis and practical execution of divine worship within the broader Indian tradition. While published under a Jain center, the content itself seems to be predominantly Vaishnavite (related to the worship of Vishnu), likely for the purpose of educating Jain practitioners about broader Hindu devotional practices or providing comparative religious knowledge. The emphasis on meticulous detail suggests it aims to be an authoritative resource.

In essence, "Vir Mitroday Puja Prakash" is a comprehensive treatise on the rituals, qualifications, timings, and benefits of performing divine worship, with a significant focus on the worship of Vishnu, drawing extensively from the vast corpus of ancient Indian religious literature.