Jaina Iconography

SR No.: 011018
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B Bhattacharya
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 247
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 149

Dikpälas
mention only the symbols of a skull over and above the abovenamed characteristics.1
115
Iśāna, otherwise designated as Siva in Brāhmaṇism, has been directly imported into the Jaina Pantheon. Skull, bow, properly known as Pinaka and snakes are all well-known symbols of Siva. As there is every likelihood to believe that in Prehistorical times the Siva-cult had much prevalence in the northeastern regions, roughly coterminous with the present area of Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan, still holding the same faith, the north-eastern direction received the name of Isana Dik. It is to be noted in this connection that Isvara Yakṣa of Śreyamsanatha has been influenced by Isana, in his vehicle of bull and symbols of three eyes, trident etc.
Brahma and Naga
As in Brāhmaṇism, so in Jainism, too, the Dikpäla Brahmā has been given the charge of the upper regions. The Svetambara texts describe him as four-headed, riding on a swan and holding a book and lotus.2 The Digambaras do not seem to have accepted not more than eight guardian gods. Brahmā and Nāga being left out from their descriptive list.
Naga is to be imaged as a figure seated on a lotus and having a snake in his hand. He rules over nether world or Pātāla, the region of the snakes.
The representation of Brahma and Naga as Dikpalas evince no further improvement on those of Brahmaṇism. The symbols of both the deities tally exactly with what we notice in
1. ईशानं वृषपृष्ठगं हस्तोदस्तकपालशूलभयदं पूर्वोत्तरस्यां दिशि नागैराभरणैरलङ्कृत' · · देवपूजा ।
Cf. भास्वद्भूषाभुजङ्गभुजगसितजटाकेतकार्धेन्दुचूलं
बिभ्रद् शुलं कपालं सगणवरमिहार्चामि पूर्वोत्तरेशम् ॥
Pratiṣṭhasaroddhāra.
2. प्रों नमो ब्रह्मणे ऊर्ध्वलोकाधीश्वराय सर्वसुरप्रतिपन्नाय पितामहाय नाभिसम्भवाय चतुर्मुखाय हंसवाहनाय कमलसंस्थानाय पुस्तककमलहस्ताय । Acaradinakara (Ramaghița, MSS).
3. नागं श्यामवर्ण पद्मवाहनमुरगपाणि चेति ।
Nirvanakalika (MSS Agra).