Process of dev vandan
Dev Vandana is the reverential salutation done to the Tirthankaras and to the guru in Jain practice. Here is a simple, traditional way it is performed, with note on tradition differences.
What typically happens (the process)
- Purification and mood: Approach with cleanliness of body and mind, humility, and a pure intention.
- Bhav (attitude): Begin with reverence for the Tirthankaras (and for the Guru where applicable). The core idea is surrender of ego and thoughts of the world.
- Sampraashya vandan (physical bow): Prostrate in the traditional way by touching the ground with the body in steps:
- Namaskar and stuti (salutation and praise):
- Uddhar (internal resolve): After the physical bow, reflect on the aim of right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct, and cultivate wishes for the well-being of all living beings.
- Optional additional prayers: Some hands-on rituals include reciting a short guru-stuti or a brief deva-stuti (praise) in Prakrit or Sanskrit, depending on the tradition.
- Repetition: Dev Vandana is usually performed in a series, as prescribed by your tradition (often 3 times in a day in Śvetāmbara practice; times and sequences can vary by local custom).
Notes on differences between Śvetāmbara and Digambara
- The essential intent and many core lines are the same, but the exact verses, order, and accompanying prayers can differ between Śvetāmbara (Mūrtipūjaka) and Digambara traditions. Some sects emphasize more prominence of the Navkar mantra at the start, while others may place additional stutis or upāya within the vandan.
- If you follow a specific temple or monastic order, follow the exact sequence they teach, as local customs vary.
Original text and meaning (summary)
- Navkār (Namokāra) mantra is the foundational salutation in many dev vandans: bow to Arihants, to Siddhas, to Acharyas, to Upādhyāyas, and to all sādhu-sādhvīs, and to the world of all beings. Meaning: a respectful surrender to the beings who have conquered inner faults and attained perfect knowledge, and to all spiritual guides and beings. This anchors the vandan in right perspective.
- The remainder of the verses articulate reverence for the cosmic order and the welfare of all beings, and affirm the aim of cultivating right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.
You can read more here and here
If you’d like, tell me which tradition you follow (Śvetāmbara or Digambara) and I can give you the exact sequence and the verses used in that tradition.