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How do I start pooja
I’ll give you a very simple, beginner-friendly way to start Jain pooja at home. You can do this even if you don’t know many sutras yet.
If you tell me later whether you are Digambar or Shwetambar and if you have a murti or only a photo / book, I can make it more specific for you.
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1. Basic preparation
- Take bath / wash hands, face, feet.
- Wear clean (simple, preferably white) clothes.
- Choose a clean, quiet place.
- Keep in front of you (whatever is available):
- Tirthankar murti or photo, or at least a Jain scripture (granth). - A small deepak (lamp) or candle (optional). - Some clean rice (akshat) or a flower (even one is enough).
Inner bhav: “I am worshipping the qualities of Arihant–Siddha, not asking for worldly gifts.”
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2. Sit and make a small resolve
Sit calmly (on floor or chair), close eyes for a few seconds and think:
- “I will do this pooja with shuddha bhav (pure intention).
- I will not hurt any living being knowingly.”
You may quietly say: “Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṁ” (asking forgiveness for any faults).
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3. Start with Navkār Mantra
Fold hands and recite slowly, with understanding:
Namo Arihantāṇam Namo Siddhāṇam Namo Āyariyāṇam Namo Uvajjhāyāṇam Namo Loe Savva‑Sāhūṇam
Then say the meaning in your mind: “I bow to all Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas and all Sadhus of the world.”
If you know it, you can recite it 3 or 9 times.
You can read more about meaning of pooja here
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4. Simple offering (very basic)
If you have a murti / photo:
- Gently place a little rice or a flower near the feet of the murti.
- While offering, think: “May I also become pure, peaceful and detached like you.”
- If you have a deepak, you may light it before starting or now, thinking:
“As this light removes darkness, may right knowledge remove my ignorance.”
If you do not have a murti:
- Place rice / flower near a Jain granth or just keep hands on your heart and mentally offer.
For details of simple Jain pooja vidhi you can see
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5. Short prayer / stuti (very easy option)
If you do not know any stotra, you can simply say in your own words, for example:
- “Hey Arihant Bhagwan,
Or, if you know any Jain stavan / bhajan, you can sing 1–2 verses.
You can also just repeat Navkār Mantra again.
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6. Silent reflection (1–3 minutes)
Sit quietly with closed eyes and think of any one guna (virtue) of Bhagwan, e.g.:
- Ahiṃsā (non‑violence)
- Kṣamā (forgiveness)
- Aparigraha (non‑attachment)
Ask yourself, “How can I practice this more today?”
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7. Ending the pooja
- Fold hands and recite Navkār Mantra one more time.
- Ask forgiveness for any mistake in pooja:
- “Jo jo doṣ hoyā, tene kṣamā karjo.” - Or simply: “Michchhāmi Dukkaḍaṁ.”
- Do a small namaskar (bow) and gently get up.
A nice daily simple pooja sequence is also explained here
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If you tell me:
- Digambar or Shwetambar?
- Home pooja or derasar pooja?
