Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1

SR No.: 008001
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication
Publication Year: 1989
Total Pages: 650
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Book_English, Biography, History, & Religion
File Size: 15 MB

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converted most of the Jaina temples to serve their purpose. The process of temple building not only implied skill in architecture but also necessarilly emplies a test for the art of sculpture. Individual figures or idols designed and executed by Jaina sculptors even now remain as wonders of Indian sculptural art
Painting.
Wherever possible they employed painting as a source of instruction and propaganda of the Jaina doctrine. Cave-paintings which are even now existing, such as Ajenta Frescoes are to a very great extent due to the inspiration of the Jaina artists.
Music.
They were also patrons of music. The description of Sama vasarana contains a description of how Indra with his retinue of Devas, appears before Jina with music and dancing. Dèva-nartana and the Dèva-dundubhi are associated with the glory of Samavasarana. Naturally, therefore, the temple-worship according to the Jainas, must be a copy of this worship of the Jina by the Dèvas. Hence, they encouraged music to a very great extent. It is enough to mention here one important fact as evidence of this. In Hindu epics and Puranas wherever there is a description of svayamvara, we always have victory in a svayamvaramandapa achieved merely by physical prowess of breaking a bow or hitting a mark with an arrow, to gain the hand of the princess. But in the case of Jivaka winning the hand of Gandharva-dattā as narrated in Jtvaka Cintamaņi, we have the story laid in Svayamvara-mandapa for a musical contest in which Jivaka wins the hand of the Vidyadhara princess. Hence, it is a point worthy of note that though Jainism seems to emphasise the ascetic aspect to a very great extent, it has not altogether forgotten the asthetic aspect of life. Musical information given in the Tamil classic Silappadigaram,-a Jaina kävya-still contains a mine of information relating to the art of music. It has not been fully understood and appreciated by Tamil scholars.
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