 |
Panch Kalyanak
There are five
great events of the Ttirthankar's life which are
celebrated and they are known as the Panch kalyanaks, as these
days' remains very auspicious for all living beings.
The five Kalyanaks
are as follows:
1. Garbh (conception) –
2. Janm (birth) -
3. Tap / Diksha (the beginning of
ascetic life)
4. Keval Gyan (Omniscience)-
5. Nirvan (Moksh)
|
Garbha Kalyanak,
also known as the conception event. Garbh Kalyanak is the first
of them and to perform it Dev Indra comes from heaven. Here, the
Tirthankar's soul leaves it's previous body and is conceived in
the womb of the mother.
Janm (birth)-The
second event is the birth event where various rituals are
conducted to celebrate and pay homage to the newborn
Tirthankar not only by parents but also by heavenly beings and
their lords, the Indras. This event is called the Janma
Kalyanak/birth Kalyanak.
The Tap/ Diksha
Kalyanak, or initiation event is the third event in the
Tirthankar's life. Here, the Tirthankar renounces all worldly
possessions and devotes his life to virtue and non-violence.
Keval janm
Kalyanak: - The fourth event, or omniscience event, is where
the Tirthankar has destroyed all four Gati karmas and has
attained Kevaljnan, or absolute knowledge. It is for this
reason that this event is also called the Kevaljnan Kalyanak.
After achieving enlightenment, a Tirthankar shows others the
path to enlightenment. The Tirthankar's religious teachings
form the Jain canons.
Nirvan Kalyanak :
-The final kalyanak is the Nirvan Kalyanak where the
Tirthankar's soul is liberated and finally freed from his
worldly existence. The soul now has eternal bliss and
knowledge and remains forever in the Siddha – Sheela
While celebrating
these kalyanak Tirthankars are worshiped by Indras. These
Indras are Gods who possess special excellent powers.
These rituals are
described in our scriptures and we should have complete faith
about it. |