Akshatapuja, Akṣatapūjā, Akshata-puja: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Akshatapuja means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Akṣatapūjā can be transliterated into English as Aksatapuja or Akshatapuja, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraAkṣatapūjā (अक्षतपूजा) refers to the “Pūjā of rice” and represents one of the eight-fold Pūjā, according to chapter 3.3 [sumatinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.—(Cf. Ratnaśekhara’s Śrāddhavidhi 1.6)
Accordingly after speaking of Queen Sudarśanā’s pregnancy:—“the King (Vijayasena ) gave at once fearlessness to the fearful and proclaimed non-killing by beating of the drum. He made a splendid eight-day festival in each shrine together with eight-fold pūjās (i.e., Akṣatapūjā) and divine concerts”.
Source: Jainism Literature Center: Jain FundamentalsAkshat (Akshata) puja refers to one of the eight aspects of Jain Puja, which one should reflect on while performing the puja rituals.—Akshat Puja: (Rice)—The household rice is the kind of grain seeds, which are non-fertile. One cannot grow rice plants by seeding the household rice. Symbolically it means that rice is the last birth. By doing this puja one should thrive to put all the efforts in the life in such a way that this life becomes one's last life and after the end of this life one will be liberated and will not be reborn again.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
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