Prof. Dr. Lawrence A. Babb
As is the case with Parsvanath's five-kalyanak puja, the performance of the snatra puja centers on the singing of a text. This rite, too, is seen as an expression of bhakti, devotion, and the spirit of the singing should, at least ideally, reflect that fact. The version of the snatra puja performed in Khartar Gacch temples, the variant to be described here, was written by an illustrious Khartar Gacch ascetic named Devcandraji. He is an interesting figure, one of considerably greater renown than Kavindrasagar, the author of Parsvanath's five-kalyanak puja.
Devcandraji was born in 1689 C.E. in an Osval family belonging to the Luniya gotra living near Bikaner, and it is said that prior to his birth his mother had a dream in which she saw sixty-four Indras and other deities performing the janmotsav (birth celebration) of a Tirthankar's image on the summit of Mount Meru.[1] It is said that she also saw - while half asleep and half awake - the moon enter her mouth. An ascetic was later to tell her that these visions meant that she would bear a son who would either be a king and rule the earth, or would become a great spiritual teacher and rule the "hearts of worthy (bhavya) people." As we shall see, these reported auguries resonate powerfully with the dominant theme in the snatra puja, the rite of worship he most fatuously authored.
Initiated at the age of ten, he went on to a career of great distinction as an author, scholar, and spiritual leader. He was also a magically powerful ascetic who performed many miracles. As we shall see in the next chapter, this trait is a feature common to the careers of some of the most revered ascetics in the Khartar Gacch tradition. He died in 1755. Many Svetambar Jains believe that currently he is living in the continent of Mahavideh in "kevalin form," by which is meant that he will attain liberation after his present existence ends. A knowledgeable Jaipur friend told me that Devcandraji's current existence in Mahavideh is known because it was announced to a Jain gathering somewhere in Gujarat by a mysterious stranger who then miraculously vanished.
