🌊 Few Words, Infinite Emotions – Such Is the Nature of This Universe
A small visual, a short phrase, can bring boundless knowledge and joy. Just like an ocean contained in a droplet, the sacred Jain tradition is rich with meaning through even the smallest expressions.
In this 17th episode of Gagar Ma Sagar, we explore a powerful aspect of Jain devotion — the Paryupāsanā Sutra, the structured, scriptural method of offering veneration (Vandana) to the enlightened beings.
📜 The Uniqueness of Jainism – Classification and Completeness
Every spiritual act in Jainism is carefully classified and performed with precision — that is the hallmark of Jain dharma. When we offer Vandana (salutation), the words we speak are not random; they follow a designated Sutra called the Vandana or Paryupāsanā Sutra.
Unlike other religions that may offer prayers or mantras, Jainism uniquely prescribes which emotions and intentions should accompany a salutation.
🛕 Different Sutras in Different Sects
There are differences in the Vandana Sutras between Deravasi and Sthanakvasi traditions.
- In the Murtipujak (idol-worshipping) tradition, one recites: “Ichchhāmi Khamāsamaṇo! Vandiyūṁ, Jāvaṇijjāe, Nisihiāe, Matthaena Vandāmi” Commonly referred to as Khamāsanā, this word has been linguistically distorted over time. The true meaning is “Khamāsamaṇo” — which means Kṣamāśramaṇa, i.e., the forgiving ascetic or revered Guru.
Saying “give Khamāsanā” or “take Khamāsanā” in Gujarati is incorrect, as Khamāsanā is not an object to be given or taken. Instead, one should simply say “do Vandana.”
🧘♂️ The Correct Way: The Paryupāsanā Sutra
The scripturally correct term for devotional salutation is Paryupāsanā, and the sutra is as follows (commonly followed in the Sthanakvasi tradition):
“Tikkhutto āyāhiṇaṁ payāhiṇaṁ karemi vandāmi namaṁsāmi sakkāremi sammañemi kalliāṇaṁ maṁgalaṁ deviyaṁ ceiyaṁ pajjuvāsāmi matthaena vandāmi”
Some sects omit the word “karemi”, but this is the authentic Paryupāsanā Sutra.
This is not a recent creation. It has been recited for over 2,500 years, dating back to Gautam Swami, Sudharma Swami, and Jambuswami, used in saluting Lord Mahavira and successive Acharyas.
🌟 The Essence of Paryupāsanā: Humble Submission
The key word in the sutra is “Pajjuvāsāmi” — meaning “I surrender completely to serve, follow, and worship.”
Before we explore this further, understand the meaning of “Vinay” (humility):
- Vi = special
- Nay = perspective or viewpoint
Thus, Vinay = a special, elevated perspective.
For example, if a Guru calls night as day, we don’t argue but accept it with reverence — this destroys ego and allows knowledge and devotion to emerge.
Vinay helps us develop a transcendent vision, unlike the worldly way of thinking.
🪔 How to Perform Vandana with the Sutra
When we visit a Guru or temple, we chant the Paryupāsanā Sutra with intent. Here’s how:
- Āyāhiṇaṁ – Move forward with palms joined, raising them near the right ear and above the head
- Payāhiṇaṁ – Perform Pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) with reverence
This action invokes the energy of the entire cosmos. Even when idols cannot be circled, we symbolically perform the act with joined hands.
Jain tradition recommends three Pradakṣiṇās with three intentions:
- Entry into the path of dharma
- Stability in the path
- Progress on the path
🛐 Four Ritual Actions
“Tikkhutto āyāhiṇaṁ payāhiṇaṁ karemi vandāmi”
These are four physical acts of reverence. Then come four responsibilities:
- Vandāmi – I offer salutation and praise your virtues
- Namaṁsāmi – I bow with five limbs (head, hands, feet) and surrender ego and mind
- Sakkāremi – I offer you respectful gifts, like food, clothing, shelter, medicine, etc.
- Sammañemi – I honor you in my heart and invite you to dwell in the temple of my mind
✨ Four Qualities of the Guru
“Kalliāṇaṁ, Maṁgalaṁ, Deviyaṁ, Ceiyaṁ”
These four attributes describe the Guru:
- Kalliāṇaṁ – You are the giver of Moksha
- Maṁgalaṁ – You purify my being (like a filter purifies)
- Deviyaṁ – You are my divine being
- Ceiyaṁ – You are the embodiment of spiritual consciousness
🧎 The Final Word – Pajjuvāsāmi
Pajjuvāsāmi – From all directions (pari) I come near you (upa) to serve and worship (āsāmi)
In Sanskrit, this means:
“I serve you, I worship you, I surrender to your guidance with mind, speech, and body.”
🕊️ A True Story of Humility
In many places, people say “I took the benefit” of Paryushan or Pratikraman. That reflects ego.
A revered Shrāvaka from Chennai once changed that mindset. He said:
“The Guru gave me the benefit.”
This reflects true Vinay (humility).
When Lord Krishna humbly saluted 18,000 monks, he destroyed the karma of four hells. But when he wished to eliminate the remaining three hell-karma with a desire for liberation, Lord Neminath said:
“It is no longer possible — the pure emotion is now clouded by desire.”
🧘♀️ What We Really Worship
When we do Vandana, we often expect the Guru to smile at us — only then we feel our act is complete. But true Paryupāsanā means:
- We don’t worship the Guru’s body, we revere the soul and its virtues
- In a temple, we don’t worship the idol, we venerate the qualities of the divine
If our emotions are free from expectations and desire, then the Guru’s inner blessing arises naturally:
“May good come to you.”
✅ Conclusion
The sacred Paryupāsanā Sutra represents a time-tested, scripture-rooted method of devotional surrender.
It teaches us not just how to bow, but how to feel — with humility, reverence, and purity.
Let us not seek benefits or approval, but offer ourselves in devotion, like Lord Krishna, with no expectations — and in doing so, dissolve our karma and elevate our soul.
This is the true path of Paryupāsanā.