Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 006901
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 298
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 5 MB

Page 134

Symbolism There are 108 beads in the rosaries we use. The reason is that when we use the rosary, reciting sacred texts and contemplating on the ideas expressed, we keep before our minds these personages these qualities, which assist us in our journey towards the perfected state.
We have in the temples of the Hindus many figures of Gods and goddesses. In Calcutta, you have heard of one where many animals are sacrificed. That practice has not yet been exterminated from that city. The figure to the ordinary observer is very terrible. The goddess is horrible with a red tongue protruding from her mouth. With little gods and goddesses on each side. On top of the figure is Siva. This is to be explained from the spiritual and material standpoint mixed together. She has 10 arms, all are creative energies, five positive, five negative. These are called creative powers? Those on the right represent the positive aspect, those on the left the negative aspect of the energies.
On the right is the figure of the god with a human form and head of an elephant. The goddess on the right is the goddess of wealth, A man with an animal head must be considered a man with animal propensities, therefore he has by his side the goddess of wealth. On the left the negative side is represented, the spiritual part, and the human form is perfect. The goddess on this side is the goddess of wisdom. She has no necessity for wealth. Even this picture connected with material ideas, in certain ways is a beautiful picture.
Later on when people forget the real truth and become engrossed in the external world, they thought the energy of the world was not an abstract idea but it was a person they wanted to propitiate those energies, and so they sacrificed animals to the goddess that represented destructive energy. It is continued there. It is a great blot on the peaceful and humane character of the Hindu. The truth has been forgotten by them.