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 61

Jaina Iconography seat, (iii) Trilinear umbrella and a lion throne, (iv) Aura of a beautiful radiance, (v) Drum (Divya-dhvani), (vi) showers of celestial blossoms, (vii) 2 chowries, (viii) Heavenly music.1 All these symbols are seen in a complete image of a Tīrthamkara. The Yaksa and Yaksiņi or Śās ana devatās (Lit. “governing dcitics') are to be noticed in the lowest corner of the whole statue. When thcy appear in individual sculpture, the keynote to recognise is the presence of a small Jina figure either at their hcad or at the top of the statue. Each Tīrthamkara is recognisable by a cognizance or cihna usually placed below his image. Besides these, certain symbolic ornaments mark out a Jaina representation distinctly from others. These arc (i) Svastika (ii) mirror, (iii) urn, (iv) cane-scat shaped like an hour-glass (v) & (vi) 2 small fish, (vii) flower garland, (viii) book. To an untrained cyc, the image of a seatcd Tīrtharkara may be easily mistaken for that of the Buddha. The symbolic marks as stated above may safe-guard one from such mishmash or misinterpretation. Among the Jinas, Rşabha, Nemi and Mahāvīra agree in the fact that they attain relcase when scated on the lotus-throne, while other Tirthaikaras pass away in the kārotsarga posture (that of a man standing with his arms hanging stiff with the body).
Centres of Jaina pilgrimage
Tirthas or Holy shrines sprang up on the sites associated with the lives of the great Jaina Prophets. In fact, the Tīrthamkaras made their Tirthas. The phenomenal incidents in Jaina Litt, are known as (a) Garbha or conception, (b) Janma or Birth, (c) Tapas or acc. to others Pariniskramana, (d) jñāna or Enlighten
1. दिव्यतरु: सुरपुष्पसुवृष्टिर्दुन्दुभिरासनयोजनघोषौ । आतपवारणचामरयुग्मे यस्य विभाति च मण्डलतेजः ।।
Jaina-säntipāțha. Cr. अशोकवृक्षः सुरपुप्पवष्टिदिव्यध्वनिश्चामरमासनञ्च ।
भामण्डलं दुन्दुभिरातपत्रं सत्तातिहार्याणि जिनेश्वराणाम् ।। A verse quoted in D.R. Bhandarkar's Jaina Jonnograply.
(Ind. Ant. 1911). The Heavenly Dundubhis consist of 5 musical instruments.
See Appendix.