Bhagwaan Mahavira Moksha Kalyanak Pujan at His Tonk, Deepawali 2013
Acharya Sushil Gurve Namah
This Thursday, October 23, is Deepawali!
2,541 years ago that day, Bhagwaan Mahavira, our last Tirthankar, attained moksha after having shown us the path to do so, and His ganadhar (chief disciple) Shri Gautam Swami attained kevalgyan (absolute consciousness). Ever since, we celebrate the historic day as Deepawali.
Deepawali Mahaparv celebrations at Siddhachalam begin at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, and continue through 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28. This is the last opportunity this Fall to stay at the ashram before most cabins are closed and the Tonks and Guruji’s prathima at Tapasya Sthal are veiled. Welcome!
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Kaali Chaudas (Ghantakaran Mahavir Pujan)
5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Daily Siddhachalam Puja-prakshal-abhishek in Main Temple and Parsvnath Temple
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ghantakarn Mahavir Pujan in Parsvanath Temple
October 22 is “kali chaudas” (also known as “Kartik vad chaudas” or the 14th dark night of the month of Kartik). On this day, it is considered by many as most auspicious to perform pujan of Ghantakarn Mahavir. The pujan involves tying 108 knots on an auspicious thread while chanting Namokar Mantra. The tying of knot signifies “personal protection and well-being.” After pujan, one can keep the auspicious thread and tie it at your home temple or place of meditation.
Nakro – $51
* – Puja clothes required
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Deepawali Pujan
4:00 a.m.
Opening of the Temple
4:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Daily Siddhachalam Puja-prakshal-abhishek in Main Temple and Parsvnath Temple
Offer Nirvaan Ladu; Light auspicious diyas at the Tonk in especially-prepared float
Bhagwaan Mahavira Swami Tonk #26
10.00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Perform Bhagwaan Mahavira Nirvan Kalayanak Puja led by Vidhikarak Sharvan ji Joshi
Bhagwaan Mahavira Swami Tonk #26
Nakro – $51
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Perform Ashtaprkari Labdhi Puja to celebrate Shri Gautam Swami Kevalgyan
Shri Gautam Swami Tonk #1
Nakro – $21
* – Puja clothes required; Diyas and Ladu available at Siddhachalam
Friday October 24, 2014
Veer Samvat 2541 begins – New Year Celebrations
5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Daily Siddhachalam Puja-prakshal-abhishek in Main Temple and Parsvnath Temple
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Perform Nav-varsh puja in Main Temple
Snatra Puja
Navpad Puja
Shantikalash
Arti, Mangal Devo
Nakro – $51
Saturday October 25, 2014
5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Daily Siddhachalam Puja-prakshal-abhishek in Main Temple and Parsvnath Temple
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Perform Bhagwaan Mahavira Nirvan Kalayanak Puja led by Vidhikarak Sharvan ji Joshi
Bhagwaan Mahavira Swami Tonk #26
Nakro – $51
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Perform Ashtaprkari Labdhi Puja to celebrate Shri Gautam Swami’s Kevalgyan
Shri Gautam Swami Tonk #1
Nakro – $21
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ghantakarn Mahavir Pujan in Parsvanath Temple
Nakro – $51
* – Puja clothes required; Diyas and Ladu available at Siddhachalam
1:00 p.m.
Aarti in Parsvnath Temple
2:00 p.m.
Aarti in Main Temple
Sunday October 26, 2014
Sangatith Puja
6:00 a.m.
Temples Open
6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Abhishek, Ashtprakari Puja, Aarti & Mangal Devo (Main Temple)
8:45 – 10:00 a.m.
Abhishek, Aarti & Mangal Devo (Parsvnath Temple)
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sangatith Puja comprising Namokar Mantra, Chattari Mangal, Swasti Mangal, Paramshri Swasti Mangal Paath, Swasti Paath, Snatra Puja, Dev Shastra Guru Puja, Shri Adinath Puja, Ashtprakari Puja, Maha-arg, Shantipaath, Aarti, Shanti Kalash, Visarjan
Tuesday October 28, 2014
5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Daily Siddhachalam Puja-prakshal-abhishek in Main Temple and Parsvnath Temple
Gyan Panchami Celebration
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Saraswati Mata Pujan
Manibhadra Veer Pujan
A view next to the Tonk of Bhagwaan Mahavira Swami after nirvaan laddu were offered, Deepawali 2013
The Origin of Deepawali
Moksha – liberation from the endless cycle of life and rebirth – is the objective of human life.
Bhagwaan Mahavira was the last great hero who not only attained it but also showed us the path of attaining it. He attained moksha in the deep darkness and quietude of Asvina amavasya. On that night in 527 BC in Pawapuri, Bihar, He broke all bonds of karma and ascended to Siddhalok – the realm of liberated souls.
According to one Jain tradition, on the dark night when Sramana Bhagwaan Mahavira ascended to Siddhalok, nine Mallki kings and nine Licchavi kings from Kashi and Kosala, respectively, instituted a spiritual practice and said:
“As the light of omniscience is gone, so we shall lit the light of material objects.”
Kalpa Sutra, I, 128.
Ever since then, India started celebrating Deepawali (“garland of lights”) festival and many religions born in India consider the date eminently auspicious and special. At that time, India was called Bharatavarsha – the land of Bharata, the first chakravarti emperor and the son of our first Tirthankar, Shri Adinath Prabhu.
Gautam Swami’s Kevalgyan
Deepawali celebrations among Jains also arise from the attainment of kevalgyan (omniscience, absolute consciousness, perfect knowledge) by Bhagwaan Mahavira’s chief disciple, Shri Gautam Swami. Shri Gautam Swami attained that ultimate state of consciousness hours after his beloved Guru, Bhagwaan Mahavira, attained nirvana.
Legend has it that Gautam Swami was very attached to Bhagwaan Mahavira. Just before His moksha, Bhagwaan Mahavira sent Gautam Swami to another village to teach a Brahaman, knowing that Gautam Swami would not be able to bear the sight of Bhagwaan’s departure. Indeed, it was difficult to console Gautam Swami after Bhagwaan’s nirvana. That is when Gautam Swami realized that unlike Bhagwaan Mahavira, he was given to attachment. At the instant of that realization, Gautam Swami attained kevalgyan – omniscience.
Just as one lamp kindles another, Bhagwaan Mahavira’s liberation kindled Gautam Swami’s omniscience. Ever since then, the day after Deepawali is considered the first day of the Jain New Year. On that day, 2541 years ago, began a new calendar called Veer Samvat (“Veer” for Bhagwaan Mahavira).
Keshi said to Gautam: “Whom do you call foes?” Hearing these words of Keshi, Gautam replied: “O sage! The first foe is one’s unconquered soul. Add to this the four passions of anger, conceit, deceit and greed, and the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Vanquishing all these ten, I move about righteously.” Kumar-shraman Keshi said: “Gautam, you are endowed with excellent wisdom. You have removed my doubt…” Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23:3- 39. The conversation between Sharman Keshi, follower of Bhagwaan Parsvanath, and Gautam Swami, the ganadhara of Bhagwaan Mahavira.