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 95

Jaina Iconography
that Neminatha was a cousin of Sri Krisņa and Baladeva. His name has been derived in two ways. First, his circumference (figuratively) was like that of the Dharma Cakra.1 Secondly, before his birth his mother saw a wheel of black jewels. Hence, his other name of Ariṣṭanemi.
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His emblem of a conch may be accounted for as being symbolic of his residence in a sea-side place where conches are abundantly met with or as reminiscent of his kinship with the Vaisnavite family of Śrīkṛṣṇa.
Pārsvanatha.
He is one of the greatest Tirthankaras or Prophets of Jainism. Some, with a scrupulously historical eye, regard him as the true founder of the Jaina faith." His historicity is unquestioned, his date is almost precisely known and his influence on the Jaina religion is of leading importance. From all sources, we gather his emblem or cognizance is a snake. In sculpture, snake seems to be everything with him. Not only do we find snake in the usual place of the symbol, we find, snakes canopy him with three or seven or eleven hoods.
His Yakṣa is called Parsva or Vamana or Dharanendra and Yakṣiņi is called Padmavati. The king, who stands by his side as a Chowri-bearer is known as Ajitaraja. The Devadāru (Deodar) or Dhataki is his Kevala-tree.
No dearth of images for Pär: vanatha ! His statues can equal in number those of Mahāvīra abundantly found in ancient places of Northern India. In sculpture, several coils of the snake, which flank him are to be noticed. Pārsva's Yakṣa carries a snake. The Yakṣiņi, also has the cobra as her vehicle. Much is known from Jaina Puranas and Caritas of Pārs vanatha's personal
1. धर्मचक्रस्य नेमिवन्नेमिः । नेमीतीन्नन्तोऽपि दृश्यते ।
2.
Abhidhanacintamani.
According to Rhys Davids, Pārsvanatha was probably the founder of the Sect. Ency. Britt. gth ed.. Vol. xii. p. 43.
3. Vide Pl. standing image of Parsva, in the Jogion ka Matha near Rohtak town, No. 2431; Mathura Muscum B. 62, Catalogue p. 77 Nagpur Museum, Figs B. 21. B. 22 D. 23. B. 24; Raipur Museum, B. 5. (Nagpur Muscum Catalogue, Appendix p. 3); 2 Figs of Parsva discovered on the Vaibhāra Hill, Rajgir, they shew 7 hoods of the snake; Cr. 1. Cabinet 5. Gupta gallery, Indian Museum Ibid., J. Ms. 1, J. Ms. 2