जिन प्रतिमा और जिन पूजन: एक वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोण
By Nihalchand Jain
Summary
This article presents a scientific perspective on the worship of Jina idols (Jina Puja) within Jainism. It explains that the primary goal of worship is not to please the deity, who is detached (Vitaraga), but to purify the worshiper's own soul. The act of worship is a journey from the physical (murta) to the formless (amurta), where the idol serves as a bridge connecting the devotee's consciousness to the supreme, formless reality. The ultimate aim is for the worshiper to become worthy of worship themselves by internalizing the qualities of the Jina. The article details the importance of both external and internal purity for worship and describes various types of puja, including daily and festival observances. It addresses the rationale for temple worship, explaining that the architecture of a temple, particularly its dome, creates a sound circuit that amplifies mantras and aids in calming the mind. The text also defends the significance of the idol itself, citing historical examples like Ekalavya learning archery through a clay image of Dronacharya and the transformative effect of the Gommateshwara statue on Hyder Ali. The article concludes that Jina puja is the first step on the path to liberation, comparing it to a flower that must bloom before the fruit of self-realization can be attained.
Conclusion
The document underscores that Jain idol worship is not mere ritual but a scientific and spiritual journey from the material to the formless, aiming to transform the worshipper into the worshipped. The implications are profound: by engaging in this structured practice, the devotee systematically purifies the mind, breaks karmic bonds, and progresses toward self-realization. The outcome is not external reward but internal alchemy—the dissolution of ego and the cultivation of pure consciousness. Ultimately, the text concludes that this path leads to the highest spiritual attainment: the state of omniscience and liberation, where the practitioner becomes one with the very qualities they revere.