Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

SR No.: 006918
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 358
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
light on the antiquity of Jaina culture. Archaeological evidences belonging to the Indus valley civilizations support the antiquity of the Jaina tradition of Tirthankaras and suggest practice of worship of Rṣabhadeva, the first Tirthankara of Jaina tradition. Icons found at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, represent Jaina religion and culture. Also fire pit is conspicuously lacking in the houses of Mohenjo-Daro and many nude figures have been discovered which depict personage who are no other than ascetic yogis. Also there is a great preponderance of pottery figures of female deities over those male deities who are shown naked.
Dr. Earnest Mackey, the renowned archaeologist said that female figures, which invariably wear a little clothing, necklaces and bangles but the male deities are entirely nude which clearly reveals the traces of Jaina religion among the Indus Valley people, as the worship of nude male deities is a very well established practice in Jaina religion."
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Iconism and nudity have been two chief characteristics of Jaina culture. It clearly indicates that people of the Indus Valley practiced Yoga but also worshipped images of yogis. Some seated deities and some standing in kayotsarga postures, which are postures of Yoga and meditation, is peculiarity of Jaina." The figures are nude in standing kayotsarga pose with a triśula- like decoration on their head and eyesight fixed on the tip of nose, which is characteristic of an image of Jaina.
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Prof. R. P. Chandal discussed it in detail and is of the opinion that the kayotsarga posture is peculiarity of Jainas. Among the Egyptian sculptures of the time of the early dynasties, there are
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16Dr. Vilas A. Sangave, "Aspects of Jaina Religion", Delhi 1990,P-24 17Jaina Culture/Antiquity & History, P-6
18 Jainthology" Editor Ganesh Lalwani, Calcutta, 1972, Indus Valley Civilization by V.G. Nair, P-21