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 169

Miscellaneous Jaina Divinities
135
agree with the description in its most essential features.
Kșetrapāla is a Bhairava and seems to be the master of the Yoginis. As the name suggests, he is the deity whose function is to protect the field. Hence, probably, he has the dog, who might watch the field and help his master by guarding it against any aggressor. The Bhairavas of Brāhmaṇism, such as the Kålabhairava and Vațukabhairava are always associated with a dog. In fact, the relation of Kșetrapāla with Vațukabhairava has been clearly mentioned of in the Jaina texts.2
Ganesa
His hands vary from two, four, six, nine, eighteen to one hundred and eight. According to the description of the Acāradinakara, Ganapati should be pol-bellied and should hold, in his hands, an axe, Varada, Modaka (Sweet-meat ball), and Abhaya. His vehicle is a mouse.3
The form of Ganapati with four hands seems to be standard. The symbols of axe, Modaka and mousc are exactly the same with those of the Brāhmaṇic Ganesa. Hence, we may reasonably conclude that the icon of this god is the result of one of the many assimilations which Jainism made from Brāhmaṇism.
1. A fig. from Gandhāwal Gwalior no. 1974/211 rides a dog and has
four hands. It seems to be a Digambara image. Another fig. may be seen on the right wall in a group of rock-cut sculptures on the left of the road, inside the Gwalior Fort. It has also four hands with the
canonical symbols. २. क्षेत्रपालप्रतिष्ठायां बटुकनाथहनुमन्नारसिंहादिपुरपूजितदेशपूजितप्रतिष्ठा।
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H E16Eदशभुजाष्टोत्तरशतभुजरूपा गुरूपदेशविशेषेण बहुविधा भवन्ति । . . . . जय लम्बोदर परशुवरदयुक्तापसव्यहस्तयुग। सव्यकरमोदकाभयधर यावकवर्णपीतलासिक मूषिकवाहन पीवरजङ्घाभुजबस्तिलम्बिगुरुजठर। वारणमुखैकरद । वरदसौम्य । जयदेव गणनाथ।
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