Answer

In Jain Dharma, a puja is a devotional ritual of worship offered to the Tirthankars and the Arihants with respect, purity, and reverence.

Explanation

A puja usually involves:

• cleaning oneself and the worship area
• offering flowers, rice, sandalwood, water, or other symbolic items
• reciting stotras, prayers, or verses
• remembering the virtues of the Tirthankar
• cultivating devotion, humility, and inner purity

In Jainism, the main purpose of puja is not to ask for worldly favors, but to purify the mind and stay focused on the path of non-violence, detachment, and आत्मिक उन्नति.

Spiritual Understanding

Puja helps a Jain:

• develop श्रद्धा, or deep faith
• remember the ideal qualities of the Tirthankars
• reduce ego and attachment
• create a calm and disciplined mind
• move toward spiritual progress

It is both an external act of worship and an inner practice of reverence.

Takeaway

In Jainism, puja is a sacred form of worship that inspires devotion, purity, and spiritual growth.