Posted by
transaltion of the snatra puja
Snatra Pujā is quite a long and poetic pūjā, so giving a full, line‑by‑line translation here is difficult. Instead, I will give you a simple English “translation in sense” (arth) of the main parts, so you understand what you are reciting.
This is mainly for the common Śvetāmbara Derāvāsī Snatra Pujā (by Paṇḍit Śrī Vīr Vijayjī). The basic idea is:
- We remember the conception (chyavan) and birth (janma) of a Tīrthaṅkar,
- We mentally join Indra and the devas in doing abhiṣek (snān) of the newborn Jina,
- And we pray that such pure qualities also come into our own soul.
---
1. Opening praise – “Sarasa śānti …”
Meaning in simple English:
> “I bow to Lord Jineshwar who is absolutely peaceful, pure, full of sweet and beautiful virtues. > May His presence remove all inner restlessness and fill my heart with true peace.”
Essence: You are starting by praising the calm, pure nature of the Tīrthaṅkar, and asking for inner śānti (peace).
---
2. “Kusumabharan …” – removing ornaments and seating the Jina
Meaning in simple English:
> “With devotion I remove all worldly ornaments and decorations, > and respectfully seat the Lord on a pure, divine throne. > I bathe Him with fragrant, clean water, > as a sign that I want to wash away my own impurities and ego.”
Essence: The removal of ornaments means the Jina is beyond all decoration and body‑pride. Bathing with clean water symbolizes washing our own karma and passions.
---
3. “Jinajanma samaye …” – at the time of the Jina’s birth
Meaning in simple English:
> “At the blessed moment of the Jina’s birth, > countless heavenly gods and goddesses gather joyfully. > Indra himself lovingly lifts the divine child, > and takes Him to Mount Meru to perform a great bathing ceremony. > Those who even remember or visualize this sacred scene > become truly fortunate and spiritually uplifted.”
Essence: You are imagining the universal celebration at the birth of a Tīrthaṅkar and mentally joining it.
---
4. “Nirmal jala snān kari …” – the pure bath
Meaning in simple English:
> “With pure, spotless water the Lord is bathed. > Then He is adorned with clean clothes and beautiful flowers. > Just as water removes dirt from the body, > the divine qualities of the Jina remove the dirt of karmas from our soul. > May my inner impurities be washed away by remembering His virtues.”
Essence: The external snān is a symbol for internal cleansing. We are praying that by devotion and remembrance, our karma is softened and destroyed.
---
5. Description of the Chyavan Kalyāṇak (conception)
In the middle part, the pūjā describes:
- The Jina’s soul leaving heavenly abode,
- Entering the mother’s womb (chyavan),
- The 14 dreams seen by the mother (lion, elephant, goddess, etc.),
- The joy in all three worlds.
Simple gist:
> “O Lord, when Your soul entered the womb of Your mother, > the universe rejoiced, and holy signs appeared. > Your mother saw fourteen auspicious dreams, > showing that a great Tīrthaṅkar had come. > Remembering these dreams removes fear and gives faith in dharma.”
Essence: These dreams show that this birth is for the upliftment of all souls.
---
6. Description of the Janma Kalyāṇak (birth)
Gist of the verses:
> “When You took birth, the entire city became glorious. > Flowers showered from the sky, music of the devas filled the air, > and everyone was filled with unmatched happiness and peace. > Indra, full of devotion, performed Your abhiṣek on Mount Meru > with waters from many holy lakes and rivers, > and all beings bowed with folded hands.”
Essence: We are celebrating the supreme, last birth of the Jina, which leads finally to Keval‑jñān and Mokṣa.
---
7. Ashta‑prakāri Pujā portion
In most Snatra Pujās, after remembering the birth‑bath, we do Aṣṭa‑prakāri Pujā (8 types of dravya):
- Jal – water
- Candana – sandal
- Puṣpa – flowers
- Dhūp – incense
- Dīp – lamp
- Akṣat – unbroken rice
- Naivedya – pure food
- Phal – fruit
Meaning in simple English:
> “O Arihant Bhagwan! > With water I wash away my impurities, > with sandal I wish for coolness of passions, > with flowers I offer my best virtues, > with incense I pray that my conduct becomes fragrant, > with light I ask for right knowledge and right faith, > with rice I remember firmness in vows, > with pure food and fruits I dedicate all my bodily strength to dharma, > and I surrender my all at Your feet.”
Essence: Each item is not for God’s need, but to train our own mind towards sāmya, śuddhi, and tyāg (equanimity, purity, renunciation).
---
8. Ending – Ārti, Maṅgal Dīvo, and Śānti Kalash
At the end:
- Ārti and Maṅgal Dīvo:
- Śānti‑kalash:
Simple meaning:
> “May there be peace inside me, > peace in my family, > peace in the Jain Saṅgh, > and peace for all living beings in the entire universe. > May no one suffer, may all move towards liberation.”
Essence: Snatra Pujā ends with universal compassion and a wish for sarva‑jīva kalyāṇ (welfare of all souls).
---
Digambar / Śvetāmbara note
- The above outline and meanings are mainly for Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjak (Derāvāsī) Snatra Pujā composed by Paṇḍit Vīr Vijayjī.
- Digambar traditions also have snān / abhiṣek and related pūjās, but the exact gāthās and order can differ. The inner arth (meaning) – bathing the Jina as Indra did at Janma‑kalyāṇak – remains spiritually same.
---
If you want to see short, simple explanations about Snatra Pujā and Abhiṣek (Prabhu Pakṣāl), you can also refer here: Snatra Pujā Q&A and meaning Why we perform Prabhu Pakṣāl / Snatra
