Fourth Day of the Ashtanhika Mahaparva Mahotsav

Fourth Day of the Ashtanhika Mahaparva Mahotsav

Sixty-Four Arghyas Offered for the Elimination of Anger, Pride, Deceit and Greed

Chandigarh 24 July ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The fourth day of the Siddhachakra Mahamandal Vidhan and Shanti Mahayajna, being organized on the auspicious occasion of the Ashtanhika Mahaparva at Shri Digamber Jain Mandir, Sector 27-B, Chandigarh, concluded with immense devotion, faith, and spiritual fervour. The day's programme commenced at 6:30 a.m. with the Abhishek (ceremonial bathing of Lord Jina) followed by Shantidhara in the Main Temple and the Vidhan Hall. Thereafter, under the guidance of Brahmacharini Asha Didi, the prescribed rituals of the Siddhachakra Mahamandal Vidhan, including Mangalacharan and the sacred worship ceremonies, were performed with deep reverence and devotion. Hundreds of devotees participated in the Vidhan and prayed for world peace, the welfare of society, and spiritual upliftment. The privilege of performing Shantidhara today was received by Dharam Bahadur Jain, Pramod Jain and Raja Bahadur Singh Jain.

In her discourse, Brahmacharini Asha Didi highlighted the special significance of the fourth day of the Ashtanhika Mahaparva. She explained that the 64 Arghyas offered during the Siddhachakra Mahamandal Vidhan on this day hold profound spiritual and philosophical importance in Jainism. These 64 Arghyas symbolize the 64 Riddhis (divine spiritual attainments) acquired by great ascetics through rigorous penance, self-restraint, and deep spiritual practice. Asha Didi explained that according to Jain philosophy, when monks perform intense austerities and meditation, extraordinary spiritual powers known as Riddhis manifest within them. Among these are Keval Jnana (perfect knowledge of the past, present, and future) and Vikriya Riddhi (the supernatural ability to alter one's physical form), along with many other divine attainments. By offering the 64 Arghyas, devotees pay homage to the virtues, penance, self-discipline, and spiritual excellence of these accomplished monks. She further stated that while offering these Arghyas, devotees pray for the eradication of the four principal passions—anger (Krodh), pride (Maan), deceit (Maya), and greed (Lobh)—so that the soul may be freed from the burden of karmic bondage and progress towards the supreme state of liberation (Siddhahood). 

Referring to the inspiring account of Muni Vishnukumar, Asha Didi narrated that he used his Vikriya Riddhi to protect 700 Jain monks. However, according to Jain principles, monks should never display their supernatural attainments. Although Muni Vishnukumar exercised this power solely to safeguard Jain Dharma and the monastic order, he later performed deep repentance (Prayaschitta) for altering his form. He resumed rigorous Digambar ascetic practices and intense spiritual discipline, ultimately destroying all karmas and attaining Moksha (liberation). This episode stands as a timeless example of humility, renunciation, and spiritual purity. The day's religious programme concluded at approximately 10:00 a.m. in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Throughout the ceremony, the temple premises resonated with devotional chants and sacred hymns. A large number of devotees participated in the Siddhachakra Mahamandal Vidhan and offered prayers for peace, harmony, and the well-being of the entire world.

On this occasion, Dharam Bahadur Jain, President of the Shri Digamber Jain Mandir Committee, Sant Kumar Jain, General Secretary, Sharad Jain, Joint Secretary, Neeraj Jain, Joint Treasurer, Navratan Jain, Pramod Jain, and several other office-bearers and committee members were present. They welcomed the devotees and appealed to them to participate in large numbers in the remaining days of the Mahotsav. The community lunch (Bhojan Seva) for the day was generously sponsored by the family of Indresh Jain and Rani Jain.