In Jain Dharma, your main doubt is very important: “If Tirthankaras are supreme, why do many people worship Bheruji? Is it wrong?”

Let’s understand this slowly and clearly.

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1. Who is the main object of worship in Jainism?

According to all Jain Agams and authentic Jain tradition:

• Only Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya and Sadhus are true objects of worship (Panch Parameshti).
• Among them, Tirthankar Bhagwan (Arihant / Siddha) are supreme.

So, in Jain Dharma:

• Tirthankars are original and highest bhakti.
• Dev, Devi, Kshetrapal, Bheruji, Ghantakarna, Padmavati etc. are never above Tirthankars.

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2. Then who is Bheruji?

Bheruji is generally considered:

• A kshetrapal or yaksha/yakshini type protective deity near some Jain temples.
• A lokik dev (worldly deity), not a Tirthankar, not a Siddha.

He is:

• Not a giver of moksha
• Not a remover of karmas like Tirthankar/Paramatma
• A powerful worldly dev believed to protect, help in worldly matters, etc.

This kind of dev is accepted only as vyavahaar (worldly level), not as the ultimate spiritual shelter.

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3. Why do people worship Bheruji so much?

Main reasons:

1. Fear and protection – people feel he protects from dangers, thieves, problems.
2. Worldly wishes – business, court cases, health, etc.
3. Local tradition – in some regions, elders did it, so next generations copy without thinking.
4. Quick results mentality – people run more towards where “immediate benefit” is expected, rather than long-term spiritual benefit.

This is a psychological and social habit, not a scriptural ideal.

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4. Is it wrong to worship Bheruji?

From Jain Dharmic view, we must see 3 levels:

(A) Completely wrong:

• If someone thinks Bheruji is greater than Tirthankars – this is clearly wrong.
• If someone forgets Tirthankar and only believes in Bheruji – this is spiritual downfall.
• If someone does violence, alcohol, animal sacrifice, tamasic acts in the name of Bheruji – this is absolutely against Jain Dharma.

(B) Lower level / spiritually weak:

• If someone worships Bheruji only for worldly gains, with very little or no bhakti towards Tirthankars.
• This shows attachment to material life, and ignorance of real Jain spiritual path.

(C) Tolerated as vyavahaar, but not ideal:

Some elders say:

• “Main bhakti, faith, and refuge must be in Tirthankars and Panch Parmeshti.”
• If along with that, someone respectfully bows to kshetrapal/Bheruji as a guardian dev, but without considering him supreme, it is vyavahaarik, not the main path.

So:

• Ideal Jain path = Centered completely on Tirthankars.
• Bheruji bhakti = at best, side, worldly-level; at worst, misleading if it replaces Tirthankar bhakti.

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5. What do Jain scriptures and acharyas emphasize?

• All major sutras and stavans: Namokar Mantra, Uvasaggaharam, Logassa, Jinvani, etc. – all are focused on Arihant, Siddha, Jin, Paramatma, not on Bheruji.
• Acharyas again and again say:

“Sharanam Pavajjami” – I take refuge in: - Arihant (Tirthankar) - Siddha - Sadhu–Acharya–Upadhyay

No main Jain scripture ever says: “I go to Bheruji for moksha.”

So, the true Jain mool-bhakti is always Tirthankar-centered.

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6. What should you personally do?

If you are confused or feel guilty seeing Bheruji worship, you can follow this simple guideline:

1. Keep your heart’s main bhakti only towards:

- Arihant–Siddha (Tirthankars) - Panch Parmeshti

1. Don’t believe:

- That Bheruji is greater than or equal to Tirthankars. - That he can give moksha.

1. If family or society does that bhakti:

- Stay respectful to elders (no fights), - But inside, keep firm spiritual understanding: - “My real refuge is only in Jinendra Bhagwan and Siddha Bhagwan.”

1. Strengthen your Jain path by:

- Daily Namokar Mantra - Bowing to Tirthankar idols / images - Listening/reading Jinvani, Jain philosophy, life of Tirthankars

The purer your understanding, the less attraction you will feel for such worldly devtas.

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7. Simple conclusion

• Yes, Tirthankar bhakti should always be central and supreme.
• Excessive or exclusive worship of Bheruji instead of Tirthankars is not in line with true Jain Dharma.
• Respect people’s feelings, but personally hold fast to:

“Namo Arihantanam, Namo Siddhanam” – My real bowing and refuge is only in them.

This keeps your Jain faith pure, simple, and spiritually correct.