Jainism is the most ancient and integral part of Hindu religion in India. Jains worship Tirthankaras who are non-celestial beings; liberated souls from this earth and are in the state of permanent happiness- “Moksha” which is considered the ultimate goal – ‘The Nirvana’.
The Jains perform ‘Ashtaprakari Pooja’ in their temples. Ashta (Eight) prakari (type) pooja as the name suggests comprises of eight types of pooja and the method differs the way its performed and worshiped.
1. Jal Pooja (The Abhishek – The Shower Worship with Cow’s milk, Ghee, Curd, Sugar & Water)
2. Chandan Pooja (Sandalwood Paste)
3. Pushpa Pooja (flower)
4. Dhoop Pooja (Incense smoke)
5. Deepak Pooja (Lamp)
6. Akshat Pooja (Rice Pooja)
7. Naivedhya Pooja (Edible processed or Natural food like Sweets etc)
8. Fal Pooja (Fruits)
It is definitely mystical and amazing to know about the significance of all these pooja(s) and the rituals involved. Akshat Pooja stands out from the rest of all the other pooja(s) from the Hindu system of Pooja(s).
‘Akshat’ the word itself states “A” + “kshat” means which cannot be destroyed. Only one we know, is “The Soul”.
Similarly, Rice is one grain which cannot be re-grown if the husk is removed and seeded again, so symbolically Rice represents the last Birth. In order to make this human birth as the last incarnation (Avatar) and for one to seek liberation from the vicious cycles of rebirth, Jains perform the Akshat Pooja.
“Akshat pooja karta thaka, Safal karu avtar – Fal mangu prabhu aagale, tar, tar muj tar
Sansarik fal mangine ravadyo bau sansar- Ashtakarma nivarava mangu moksh fal saar.”
A worshiper creates a maze with raw rice grains in the form of ‘Swastik’ on a wooden plank known as “Patla” or “Bajoth” in the native language. The Swastik has four loose ends representing the Samsarik cycle often referred as Sansar chakra consisting of
1. ‘Dev’ (The Heavenly Beings)
2. “Manushya” (Human Beings)
3. “Naarak” (Hell Beings)
4. “Tiriyanch” (Rest of the living forms or organisms).
According to “Karmas”, the birth is assigned into any of these samsarik cycles. As humans by nature knowingly or unknowingly search for everlasting happiness, that may not be forthcoming depending on the karmas one accumulates from their previous birth. Although the ultimate goal should be reaching the state of Pure and everlasting happiness. The Swastik shows the complexity of our Soul wandering through these cycles taking all the different sufferings of its kind, so it poses the question: What is the way out from getting liberated from these cycles?
You may see the three dots above the Swastik or Nandavart also known as “Ratnatrayi” (Three Jewels). These are three ways to liberate oneself from the miserable and never-ending Samsarik Cycles which are as follows:
-Samyag Darshan (Right Faith)
-Samyag Gyan (Right Knowledge)
-Samyag Charitra (Right Conduct)
None of them are exclusive of others, all are required for the spiritual liberation.
From the above three jewels, you may see a crescent (half circle) half with a line on the top of it. This symbolises the ultimate place “Siddha-Shila” or “Siddha lok” i.e., the upper most portion of the universe where the liberated souls return to.
There are 84 Lakhs of “Jeeva Yoni” (Living beings from all the classifications) in the cycles of birth and reincarnations. A human being who aspires and seeks to liberate their soul from these cycles can achieve by means of righteous perception, knowledge & conduct.
This concludes the Akshat pooja and the worshiper places a piece of sweet on the Swastika or Nandavart to symbolise the liberated soul’s state of being foodless “Anahaari”.
This is Naivedhya pooja and then the Fal Pooja. The worshiper then places a fruit on the half Circle and the top line, symbolising the result or fruit of the pooja, which is done for seeking placement of our soul on Siddha-Shila where enlightened souls from infinite years are, and will keep adding, finishing all their karmas forever.
The writer is a Real Estate Expert with more than 27 Years of work experience. A Jain by religion, he is an Artist by heart. With his vivid experience in diverse fields Nikhil steers to provide professional real estate, religious, philosophical guidance which is not only fruitful but helps spreading positivity.