Dev Guru Pasai
Answer
“Dev Guru Pasāi” is a devotional Jain phrase meaning:
“By the grace of Dev and Guru.”
Here:
- Dev means the true Jain Deva — Arihant Bhagwan and Siddha Bhagwan.
- Guru means the true Jain Guru — spiritually disciplined Jain Sādhu and Sādhvī following the path of renunciation.
- Pasāi means grace, blessings, or compassionate support.
Explanation
In Jain tradition, when devotees say “Dev Guru Pasāi”, they express humility and gratitude. It means that whatever good happens in spiritual life is possible through:
- Faith in the true Deva,
- Guidance of the true Guru,
- Right understanding of Dharma,
- And one’s own sincere effort.
This phrase is often used with reverence before or after religious activities, study, writing, or spiritual reflection.
Spiritual Understanding
Jain Dharma teaches that liberation is attained through one’s own purification and effort. So “grace” in Jain understanding does not mean that someone removes our karma for us. Rather, Dev and Guru inspire us, guide us, and awaken right faith and right conduct within us.
Takeaway
“Dev Guru Pasāi” is a humble expression of devotion, gratitude, and surrender to the guidance of the true Deva and true Guru in Jain Dharma.