Nav ang Jin Pooja
Nav Ang (Nav Ang Puja) is a Jain worship ritual in which the Tirthankar murti is honored at nine specific body parts or “ang.” It is a focused way to reflect on virtues and the path to liberation.
What are the nine angas?
- Right Toe, then Left Toe
- Right Knee, then Left Knee
- Center of Arm, then Left Arm
- Right Shoulder, then Left Shoulder
- Top of Head (center)
- Center of Forehead
- Center of Throat
- Center of Chest
- Navel
How it is usually done (simple outline):
- Start with prayer, commonly the Navkar mantra (or another Mangalacharan).
- For each ang, recite the respective short verse or stuti and offer a small symbol (like rice, flowers, or chandan) at the corresponding place on the murti.
- After all nine ang are worshipped, complete with aarti, pradakshina (circumambulation), and a prayer for forgiveness and upliftment.
Notes:
- The sequence and exact shlokas can vary between Shwetambar and Digambar traditions, and also by local derasar practices. Ask your temple priest for the version they follow.
- The nine ang puja helps remind the practitioner of humility, detachment from wealth, restraint of the senses, non-violence, and other virtues on the path to Moksha.