Jains Today in World

SR No.: 001794
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2008
Total Pages: 360
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, Religion, E000, & E005
File Size: 24 MB

Page 81

50 JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
Each attendant "Devi" is supposed to have an influence on humans and animals: Śruti is requested to extend protection from all evils, Mānasī extends happiness to devotees, Vajraśṛnkahala blesses those free from sin, Rohiņi destroys all inauspicious things, Kālī is a terror to her opponents, Gāndhārī extends bliss to his worshippers, Mahāmānasī throws all her enemies into the mouth of a lion, Vajraṁkuśī safeguards the interests of all animals, Jvālanayudha grants prosperity to all his devotees, Mānavī is in association with divine beings, Mahākālī destroys unhappiness, Santi Devi bestows peace of mind and prosperity upon devotees, Acyuta bestows luck on devotees, Prajñapti grants profit, Brahmaśānti bestows happiness, Puruṣadattă removes ignorance, Cakradhara also bestows happiness, Kapardi also has a good influence, Gauri protects devotees from the mire of samsara, Kālī Devi destroys the sins of devotees, Amba bestows wealth, Yata protects from fear, Ambikā drives away all enemies. In the Jain tantra she is the "goddess" of fertility and love and called Parvati. For some Jains, she is the "yaksi" of Nemi. Each of them has a brilliant stature. Although the names of these deities are familiar in Hinduism too, there are some differences on what we may not extend here.
We must also mention other deities revered by the Jains, like Bhairava often placed at the entry of temples to represent positive strength. He is considered to fight passions and desires. Jains and Hindus regard Gaṇeśa as favouring commercial activities. Ghanṭakarna protects against bad influences, Kubera is the chief of the "Yakṣa", Lakṣmī or Śrī the goddess of prosperity in business, Manibhadra the deity who shows that there are several ways that lead to absolute knowledge, Sarasvati is the goddess of knowledge, arts and music. She is regarded as affording spiritual light, favouring knowledge, dispelling ignorance, etc.
All Jains do not acknowledge these deities or attendant "Deva" or "Devi,""Yakṣa" and "Yakṣi". They are best revered, in principle, by