Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

SR No.: 007031
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2016
Total Pages: 306
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
deliver the sermons for welfare of mankind sitting under caitya-vṛksas in a samavasaraṇas formed by Indras but in their absence the process of awakening is carried out by symbols. The Rāyaṇa-vṛkṣa at the top of the mountain Satruñjaya is adored by lakhs of the devotees where the foot print of Arhat Rṣabha was installed. Even the river Satruñji is considered sacred. The veneration of cakra' by three devotees (1st B.C. Mathura), the establishment of symbols on thrones on Ayagapata (fig. 105), two early bronzes caitya-vṛkṣa and a wheel (fig. 63) from Causa in Bihar support the early existence of the independent cult of symbol worship.
The beautiful artistic sculptures representing message of Jaina philosophy placed in peaceful shrines situated with natural surroundings serve as a teaching school for purification and development of the soul. They are created for conveying the deep coherence of religion. Besides common symbols of adoration, many auspicious symbols accepted in Jainism like Ayagapaṭa, caitya vṛkṣa, caitya stambha, stūpa, three jewels (tri-ratna), aṣṭamangala, sthāpanācārya, the dreams seen by Tirthankara's mother and 24 lañchanas of Tirthanakaras.
The mountains like Satruñjaya, Girnāra, Sammetaśikhara, etc. are also considered sacred. The foot of these mountains are worshipped by devotees calling as 'Jai Taleti'.
Mangala (Subha):
The word mangala is derived from the root 'Magi-gatyarthaḥ to Mangateralac' with a termination (Pratyaya) 'alac' or 'ala' form final word mangala10.
In Tiloya-panṇatti, Acārya Yatirṣabha has defined as One who melts, reduces, destroys and finishes the unauspicious happenings is said to be mangala.11
In Daśvaikālika-curņi, it is explained as -
9
Rastogi S. Lucknow Samgrahalay ki Jain Pratimaen.., 2002, pl. 1, fig. 1.
10 'मगि- गत्यर्थः ' धातु से 'मंगतेरलच्' से 'अल' से 'मंगल' । - H. Pandaya "Jain Vanmaya me Asṭamangala ek Addhyayana", Tulasi Prajña, publication, (Ladanun, April-June, 2006) pp. 11.
11 गालयदि विणासयदे घादेदि दहेदि हंति सोधयदे ।
विध्दंसेदि मलाई जम्हा तम्हा य मंगलं भणिदं ।।
Tiloyapanṇatti, 1-9.