How to do vaskep pooja

Vaskep (Vaskep Puja) is a small, formal step used in some Jain puja sequences, especially as part of the monthly or festival routines in certain communities. Here is a simple, traditional way it is described in some Jain groups. If your local tradition differs, follow your temple’s guidance.

What you do

• Before starting, sit calmly in a clean space in front of the Mulnayak or a religious book.
• Take a small amount of vaskep (a symbolic material used only for this purpose) in your right hand.

Placement and mantras

• Top right corner: Place the vaskep and murmur a short awareness of right knowledge — Matigyaan.
• Bottom right corner: Place vaskep and recite Shrutgyaan (knowledge of scriptures).
• Bottom left corner: Place vaskep and say Avtdhigyaan (awareness of experiences or realization).
• Top left corner: Place vaskep and chant Manhaparyvgyaan (control of thoughts/mental purity).
• Middle: Place vaskep at the center and chant Kevalgyaan (supreme understanding or final knowledge).

Offerings and concluding rites

• After placing vaskep in all five positions, perform five Swastikas (Sathiya) as a symbolic mark of auspiciousness.
• Offer five Naivedh (sweet offerings) and five fruits as prasad.
• Finish with five Khamasamnā (formal acts of respect/forgiveness or humility).

Notes

• This sequence is described in some community traditions as part of the monthly or festival puja (often associated with specific months or sacred days). Practices can vary between Digambar and Śvetambar communities, and even between regions or temples.
• If you follow a temple or family practice, you should align with their exact wording, placements, and counts.

Would you like me to tailor these steps to a specific tradition (Digambar or Śvetambar) or to a particular month or festival?