________________
SM. K. SAHA
early in the morning, the Jains visit the temple and worship the idol of Mahāvīra known as Nirvāņa Lādu. On the first day, the Svetāmbara women polish their jewllery and ornaments in honour of Lakşmi ; on the second day they propitiate evil spirits by placing sweetmeats at crossroads, and on the third day (Amāsa) all Jains worship their account book (Śāradapūjā).1.
Rakṣābandhana. This is another great festival which is observed by the Jains, especially by the Digambaras. It teaches the spirit of affection towards co-religionists. The Jains observe it on the full-noon day of Srāvana because on this day their ascetic Vişnukumāra saved, through his own spiritual powers, the lives of seven hundred Jain monks from death from the human-sacrifice organised by Bali, the king of Hastināpura.18
Akşayatļtīyā. It is observed in connection with the first Tirthankara Ādinātha.
Besides the above, the Jains follow. a number of Hindu festivals such as Daśerā, Makara-sarkrānti and Śitalāsātama (the festival of the goddess of Small Pox). At Daśerā, the Jains eat especially dainty food, and on the Makara-sankrānti they fulfil the duty of charity by giving food to cows and clothing to the poor.16
14 Ibid., p. 267. 15 Sanghve, Jain Community, p. 252. 16 Stevenson, The Heart of Jainism, p. 264 ; ERE, Vol. V, p. 878.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
