In Jain tradition, “vaaskep / vasakshep” is a fine, fragrant powder (usually sandal etc.) used mainly for Gyan‑puja / pustak‑puja – worship of Jinvaani (scriptures) and the five types of knowledge.

Here is a very simple way to do vaaskep‑puja at home:

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1. Basic preparation

• Bathe or at least wash hands, mouth and feet.
• Wear clean clothes.
• Sit in a clean, quiet place.
• In front of you keep:

- A Jain scripture (Aagam / any Jain granth) or a small photo/idol of Bhagwan. - A small plate or bowl with a little vaaskep (vasakshep powder).

Do a short Navkār Mantra first.

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2. How to place the vaaskep

Take a small pinch of vaaskep in your right hand and place it on the religious book (or just in front of the idol) in five points, remembering the five kinds of gyaan (knowledge):

1. Top‑right corner

Place a little vaaskep and say slowly, with bhaav: “Om Shri Matigyaanay Namah” (respect to sense‑knowledge / practical understanding)

1. Bottom‑right corner

Place vaaskep and say: “Om Shri Shrutgyaanay Namah” (respect to scriptural knowledge)

1. Bottom‑left corner

Place vaaskep and say: “Om Shri Avadhigyaanay Namah” (respect to special, limited clairvoyant knowledge)

1. Top‑left corner

Place vaaskep and say: “Om Shri Manhaparyavgyaanay Namah” (respect to knowledge of others’ thoughts – very high level)

1. Center (middle)

Place vaaskep and say: “Om Shri Kevalgyaanay Namah” (respect to perfect, infinite knowledge of the Arihant)

Say each line slowly, thinking: “May I move, step‑by‑step, towards pure and right knowledge.”

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3. Small conclusion

• With your finger, you may very gently draw 1 or 5 swastiks in front of the book/idol.
• If you wish, you can keep a very small naivedya (sweet) and fruit, only as symbolic offering (do not eat it as “prasād” in a bhog‑bhaav way; Jain puja is mainly for inner purity).
• Do 1–5 Khamāsan (khamāsan / khamāsanā) or at least bow down and recite Navkār Mantra again.
• Finally, do a short prarthanā like:

“Sab jivo sukhī ho, mujhmein sahi gyaan, sahi darshan, sahi charitra vikasit ho.”

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4. Tradition notes

• This type of vaaskep‑puja is commonly done on Gyan Panchami and other gyaan‑related poojas, in both Śvetāmbara and Digambar traditions, with small local variations (exact mantras, order, extra stutis, etc.).
• At home, keep it very simple and non‑violent, and if your family / local guru / mandir follows a particular paddhati, give that first importance.

You can see a simple explanation of Vaskep Pooja on JainKnowledge here: