Vis Viharman Jin Puja Tatha Sattar Bhedi Puja

This document contains two Jain puja texts compiled by Nitivijay: "Vis Viharman Jin Puja" (Worship of the Twenty Transmigrating Jinas) and "Sattar Bhedi Puja" (Worship of Seventy Types).

Vis Viharman Jin Puja:

• Purpose: This section is dedicated to the worship of the twenty Tirthankaras who are currently in the process of transmigration in the five Mahavideh regions of Aparadveep. These Jinas are actively benefiting beings, and this puja is a form of their adoration.
• Author and Lineage: The puja is authored by Nitivijay, whose spiritual lineage is traced back through several prominent Jain Acharyas, including Satyavijayji, Kapurvijayji, Kshama Vijayji, Jinavijayji Pandit, Uttam Vijayji Kavi, Padam Vijayji, Roop Vijayji, Kirti Vijayji, Kastur Vijayji, Mani Vijayji Dada, and Buddhi Vijayji.
• Content: The text describes the worship of each of the twenty Tirthankaras. Each Tirthankara's puja includes:
  • Doha (couplets): Introducing the Tirthankara, their parents, lineage, distinguishing marks (lāñchhana), and key attributes.
  • Dhal (songs/stanzas): Elaborating on the Tirthankara's virtues, their compassion, the significance of their teachings, and their role in spiritual liberation.
  • Mantra: A specific mantra for each Tirthankara, generally invoking their name and the purpose of worship (seeking knowledge, liberation from the cycle of birth and death).
• Themes: The puja emphasizes devotion (bhakti), the importance of auspicious qualities, the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and conduct, and the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha). It highlights the spiritual significance of the Jinas and their ability to guide beings towards enlightenment.
• Historical Context: The preface mentions that this puja was composed about sixty years prior to its publication and had been largely unavailable until its current printing.

Sattar Bhedi Puja (Worship of Seventy Types):

• Author and Purpose: This section is an adaptation and translation of the worship rituals composed by great past Acharyas, prepared in a simple style by Rasik Jhaveri Bhogilal Dholshaji. The purpose is to provide a structured and devotional approach to worship, outlining seventy different types of offerings and devotional acts.
• Structure: The puja is divided into seventeen distinct parts, each representing a different form of worship. These include:
  1. Jal Puja (Water Worship)
  2. Chandan Puja (Sandalwood Worship)
  3. Vastra Yugal Puja (Pair of Garments Worship)
  4. Vasakṣepa Puja (Fragrant Powder/Incense Worship)
  5. Pushpa Pujan (Flower Worship)
  6. Pushpamaala Puja (Flower Garland Worship)
  7. Pushpa Aangini Puja (Flower Decoration Worship)
  8. Sugandhi Churna Puja (Fragrant Powder Worship)
  9. Dhvaj Puja (Flag Worship)
  10. Abharana Puja (Ornament Worship)
  11. Pushpagruha Puja (Flower House Worship)
  12. Pushpa Megh Puja (Flower Shower Worship)
  13. Ashtamangal Puja (Eight Auspicious Symbols Worship)
  14. Dhup Puja (Incense Worship)
  15. Geet Puja (Song Worship)
  16. Natak Puja (Dance/Drama Worship)
  17. Vaajintra Puja (Musical Instrument Worship)
• Themes: This puja emphasizes the multifaceted nature of devotion, utilizing various offerings and artistic expressions to honor the Jinas. It highlights the importance of both material offerings and the underlying devotional intent (bhava). It also touches upon the importance of sacred rituals, the efficacy of devotional practices, and the pursuit of spiritual merit.
• "Phoolvadi ni Arji" (The Plea of the Flower Garden): This is a separate piece included at the end, written by Rasik. It is a polemic against those who criticize idol worship and the veneration of images of Jinas and holy beings. It defends the practice of idol worship by highlighting its role in evoking devotion, facilitating spiritual focus, and serving as a symbolic representation of the Jinas' virtues, especially in the current era. It refutes arguments against image worship by drawing parallels with how images and representations evoke emotions and reverence in other contexts. It also emphasizes the importance of inner devotion (bhava) accompanying external rituals.

Overall Significance:

The book offers a comprehensive collection of devotional practices within Jainism. The "Vis Viharman Jin Puja" focuses on the worship of specific Tirthankaras residing in the Mahavideh regions, showcasing a detailed lineage of spiritual masters. The "Sattar Bhedi Puja" provides a structured approach to various forms of worship, encompassing a wide range of offerings and symbolic acts of devotion. Together, these texts represent a rich tradition of Jain devotional literature and practice.