________________
I would like to draw the attention of scholars to one important point brought to our notice by Dr. Shah in this review (and in his other published papers), namely, the contribution in Art of the School of Ancient West that flourished in Western India during the post-Gupta age. This survey further helps us to visualise the spread of Jainism, which had its birth in Magadha, to different parts of India in different ages and to know how and when it was almost wiped out from Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. This study of available archaeological remains of the Jaina Sect will help historians to form a correct idea of the vicissitudes through which Jainaism passed in its march through the ages in different parts of India and will especially help us to find out when and where the Svetambara or the Digambara sect had grown powerful.
The subject of his second and third lectures is Symbol Worship in Jainism. Here Dr. Shah has first of all reviewed the growth of the conception of the word Caitya in the Vedic, Buddhist and Jaina traditions. He then discusses the meaning and spread of the worship of the Stupa, Stambha, the Caitya-Vrkṣa, Ayagapata, Samavasaraṇa, Siddha-Cakra, Svapna, Aṣṭamangala, Śthapana etc., as also of Aşṭāpada, Sammeta-Śikhara, Pañca-Meru, Nandiśvaradvīpa etc. It is needless to say that this subject was discussed here for the first time so comprehensively with a historical outlook and a reference to all the noteworthy symbols so far as Jaina Art and Worship are concerned.
His third lecture was illustrated by projected photographs of the subjects discussed in all the lectures. Along with these, he showed some interesting specimens of the School of Ancient west including those of the Jaina bronzes from Akota and Vasantagadh hoards. For some years past, Dr. Shah has been making a study of this Art School whose existence was known only from the reference of Taranath but was not proved hitherto with references to archaeological remains. This was very interesting in as much as his studies have thrown new light on the history of Art in Northern and Western India. This part of his lecture is not printed in this book but some results of his studies in this field are incorpoted in the first lecture.
I must express my thanks to Dr. Umakant, on behalf of the Jaina Cultural Research Society, for agreeing to come to Banaras inspite of his indifferent health and delivering such stimulating discourses. He
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org