Jain customs form an essential part of Jainism. These rituals take place before the
birth of the child till the death and even after the death of the person. These
customs help in inculcating vales in the individual. There are so many customs and rituals in Jain dharma.
Rituals before the Birth
The rituals before birth are called pre-birth
rituals and those performed after birth of the child are called post-birth
rituals. In the pre-birth rituals the values of mother and hereditary values
are given predominance. The main aim of these rituals is to improve the life of
the child before and after his birth.
Athmasa poojan:-
When seven and half month of conception is complete, the Athmaasa ceremony (Godh bharai)
is performed to ensure the safety of the child in the moment. Relatives
assemble at the father’s residence and pray to the family deity for the safe
delivery. For this occasion mother’s parents bring some gifts as shagun. These gifts are:
A green zari saree, a ghat (golden embroidered red bandhani saree) and some jewellery (if
desired) to wear.
Eatables like sweets, namkeen, pickles,
fruits and dry fruits for the mother.
In the morning mother wears the green zari
saree after bath.
When the function starts
the mother wears the ghat. The father and mother and the ladies of the
family along with music band go to the Jain temple, on the way the ladies sing
a traditional song. In temple they do
the Jinvar Darshan and pray for the
well being of the baby in mother womb.
Then for coming out step is followed. First the pregnant mother would step out
first and father will put coconut in
her Aanchal. This whole process is
called godh bharai in Jain custom.
Rituals After Birth
On birth:-
On
the birth of a child the umbilical cord is cut, the new born is bathed and
given to suck Ghutki (the first food
after the birth) which is jiggery dipped in pure ghee. This is considered
auspicious as well as helpful to the child in learning to suck. Normally elder relatives
i.e. grandmother or an elder aunt gives the Ghutki in order that the child may
imbibe fine qualities of the person.
On the birth
of a child ten days of cleansing or Sutak are observed after delivery.
During this period no rituals are performed. But in the temple the priest
recites mantras and receives offerings on behalf of the new-born. During
this ritual it is prohibited for every member of the family to touch the things
in the temple.
Nahavan:-
It is performed after any of these days i.e. 9th, 11th, 13th
and 29th days of baby’s birth; the baby’s namkaran is also performed. The baby’s maternal family (nanihal) is
also present in this ceremony. This ceremony is performed in the morning. The
baby’s maternal uncle (mama) gives a yellow zari saree to the mother and
clothes, toys and silver utensils for the baby. The baby’s father’s sister (bhua) also brings clothes and toys for
the baby. A small pooja for the baby
and mother is performed by a priest. It is believed that the room in which
mother and baby stay, should not be left vacant while pooja so any of small boy
stays in the room, during pooja.
For the baby’s namkaran
his or her janm patrika is made
according to the baby’s birth time and place. According to the janm patrika the baby’s name’s first
letter is decided and according to this the baby’s name s decided. After the
pooja is completed, any relative of baby’s mother whether her brother-in-law or
any small child holds the pallu of
the mother then they all go in the room and sit on the bed. Then she gives shagun to the boy who was already there
in the room and the one who came with her.
After completion of pooja
and all programmes, mehandi is
applied on her nails. She wears green and red colour lakh bangles, and her
sister in law ties rakhi on her bangles.
From birth of child to 40 - 45 days period is called delivery period, during this period
complete rest is given to her, so she could take care of her child and herself.
A special diet is given to her which is made of coconut,
ghee, almond, supari, gaund. She is
given a diet with heavy fibre.
Rituals after 40 to 45 days...
JALWA: - After this rituals baby is considered to be JAIN
It is very important function in Jain families. Because after
birth of a child, mother is not allowed to do any kind of household work,
unless the completion of this tradition. Only after this tradition, she is can
get back to her daily routine work.
All the female member of
family go to temple along with mother and father and baby. After reaching to
temple and before entering swastiks
are made at both side of gate, then they enter to the temple.
Everybody pray to God. In front of God idol a white cloth is
laid on floor , and swastika is made with turmeric , then baby is laid down on
that cloth , and senior female member of family enchants NAMOKAR MANTRA in
baby’s ear . And sandalwood tika is
done on baby’s forehead.. Now baby has become JAIN. After coming out from temple all ladies dance and enjoy.
After reaching home any of ladies goes in and takes a black
mustard and rock salt in her hand and comes out. Mother and baby are halt at
outside of home, and then baby is put on mother’s lap. Then she rotates her
hand over the baby and mother clockwise and anticlockwise parallelry thrice,
from head to toe.
