Day 1: Arihant Pad (The Enlightened Beings)
Shri Navpad Ayambil Oli is a special 9-day religious festival celebrated twice a year, once in the spring (March/April) and once in the autumn (October/November). It honors the "Navpad," which refers to the nine supreme spiritual powers recognized in Jainism. These nine powers also appear in the sacred Navkar Mantra. The festival begins on the 7th day of the lunar fortnight and continues until the full moon.
The word "Navpad" comes from Sanskrit and Prakrit, where "Nav" means nine and "Pad" means post or position. Therefore, Navpad refers to the nine highest spiritual positions in the universe. These positions are:
Arihant: Enlightened beings who have conquered inner desires and attachments, and guide others towards liberation.
Siddha: Souls who have achieved liberation (moksha) and are free from the cycle of birth and death.
Acharya: Spiritual leaders who lead the monastic order and preserve the teachings of Jainism.
Upadhyaya: Teachers who have deep knowledge of the scriptures and guide monks and nuns.
Sadhu: Monks who renounce worldly life and follow a strict spiritual path.
Samyak Darshan: Right faith, or having complete belief in the truth as taught by Jainism.
Samyak Gyan: Right knowledge, which involves understanding the true nature of reality.
Samyak Charitra: Right conduct, which means living a life free from harmful actions and following ethical principles.
Samyak Tap: Right austerity, or practicing self-discipline and penance to control desires and purify the soul.
These nine elements are key to spiritual progress in Jainism and are often represented in a circular diagram called the Siddhachakra. This diagram is a symbolic tool for meditation, with each of the nine positions arranged around it. The center of the circle is where Arihant is placed, representing the core of spiritual authority. The other positions-Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu, and the four virtues (Samyak Darshan, Samyak Gyan, Samyak Charitra, and Samyak Tap)-are arranged around Arihant, each in their respective positions.
Ayambil Tap: A Unique Fasting Ritual
During the Shri Navpad Ayambil Oli, Jains observe a form of fasting known as Ayambil Tap, which is considered one of the strictest fasts. The core of this fast is to avoid foods that are considered “tasty” or stimulating to the senses. People practicing Ayambil only eat one meal a day, and the food must be very simple and bland. They avoid using ingredients like milk, ghee, oil, sugar, jaggery, and spices. The food is usually boiled or steamed, and no fried or processed food is allowed.
Even the water consumed during Ayambil must be boiled. This fast is seen as a spiritual detox, not just for the body but also for the mind and soul. It helps reduce attachment to worldly pleasures, especially sensory indulgence, and brings focus on inner purity and discipline. Additionally, it is environmentally friendly because the simple, plant-based diet reduces the individual’s carbon footprint.
Daily Observances During the Festival
Each of the nine days of the festival is dedicated to worshipping one of the Navpad. Specific grains or foods are eaten on each day, symbolizing the spiritual power being honored. Rituals such as Puja (worship), Holy Recitation, Meditation, and Aradhana (devotion) are performed during the festival in honor of the Navpad. Here’s how each day is celebrated:
Day 1: Arihant Pad (The Enlightened Beings)
Arihant represents the purest soul with a physical body, who has overcome all inner enemies like attachment and hatred. Arihants guide others towards liberation. The color associated with Arihant is white, symbolizing purity, and the grain consumed on this day is white rice.
The Siddhachakra: The Wheel of Perfection
The Navpad is often referred to as the Siddhachakra, a circular symbol representing spiritual perfection. The word "Siddha" means a liberated soul, and "chakra" means a wheel. The Siddhachakra symbolizes freedom from karmic bondages, and when one meditates on this diagram, they align their soul with the nine supreme powers and work towards spiritual liberation.
The Siddhachakra diagram is highly sacred in Jainism and is used during the festival as a focus for meditation and devotion. By worshipping the Siddhachakra, Jains believe that their soul can be freed from the bonds of karma and move closer to ultimate liberation.
In essence, the Shri Navpad Ayambil Oli is a time for spiritual reflection, discipline, and worship. It encourages Jains to purify their lives, reduce their attachment to the physical world, and focus on the path to liberation by honoring the nine spiritual principles represented by the Navpad.
7 окт 2024
