Shri Nav-Padjini Puja - Brief Explanation
This puja has been created by Shri Padmavijayaji Maharaj. It illustrates nine most auspicious "Padas" shown in "Sidhdha Chakra Plate". They are 'Arihant', 'Sidhdha', 'Acharya', 'Upadhyay' and 'Sadhu' as first five specific identities to whom we ought to worship and other four are the virtues that we ought to implement in our lives – 'Darshan', 'Gyan', 'Charitrya' and 'Tap'. Saying same thing in different way is – first five are "Gunis" and last four are most auspicious "Gunas". Sincere and systematic worship of these Nine Padas (Nav-Pad) helps our souls in the upliftment. These Navpadas are also associated with Sidhdha Chakra Pujan and Ayambil Oli Tapscharya (penance). The story of King Shripal and Queen Mayanasundari is directly linked to pujan (worship) of these Nav-Padas. There are nine sub pujas narrating and reciting the glory of nine auspicious padas. First five pujas are to worship "Panch Parmesthi" and last four pujas are for the virtues that we should implement in our lives to go forward on path of complete liberation (Moksha). In first five pujas the virtues of each state (identity) are explained for our own good to understand, worship, to stay away from misconception and to purify our souls. This Puja's meaning leads us to the heart of basic philosophy of Jain Religion and protects us from "Mithyatva Dasha" (a state of confusion and incorrect understanding). Total Puja time (including Snatra Puja, main puja, Aarti, Mangal Divo, Shanti Kalash and Chaitya Vandan) could be 120 to 150 minutes.