Answer

Sharda Pujan Kriya in Jain tradition is performed with devotion to honor Shri Saraswati Devi, who is respected as the goddess of knowledge, learning, scriptural wisdom, and right understanding.

In Jain Dharma, Sharda/Saraswati Pujan is not done for worldly pride, but with the bhavna that:

• May I gain right knowledge.
• May my understanding move toward Samyag Jnan.
• May I study Jain scriptures with humility.
• May knowledge help me reduce ignorance, ego, and passions.

Common Sharda Pujan Kriya

A simple devotional kriya may include:

• Clean the place of worship.
• Place books, scriptures, pen, notebook, or study items respectfully.
• Light a divo or lamp if appropriate in your tradition.
• Offer rice, flowers, sandalwood, or other permitted puja items according to your family tradition.
• Recite Navkar Mantra.
• Offer prayer to Saraswati/Shardaji for pure knowledge and right understanding.
• Read or bow to Jain scriptures respectfully.
• Resolve to use knowledge for dharma, humility, and self-purification.

Important Jain Understanding

In Jain Dharma, the highest reverence is given to:

• Arihant Bhagwan
• Siddha Bhagwan
• Acharya
• Upadhyay
• Sadhu-Sadhvi Bhagwant

So even during Sharda Pujan, the main spiritual focus should remain on the path of Ratnatraya:

• Samyag Darshan — Right Faith
• Samyag Jnan — Right Knowledge
• Samyag Charitra — Right Conduct

Short Prayer Bhavna

You may pray:

“O Sharda Devi, may my intellect become pure. May I gain true knowledge of Jain Dharma. May I study scriptures with humility, understand the teachings of the Jinas, and use knowledge for self-purification and liberation.”

Takeaway

Sharda Pujan is meaningful when it inspires humility, scriptural study, right knowledge, and devotion to the path shown by the Tirthankars.