Jain Journal 1992 01

SR No.: 520105
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 48
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 33

178
JAIN JOURNAL
An observer of this vrata ties cotton band, made up of 14 threads around his right arm, called 'Ananta Dharma' symbolising the forces. In contrast to this, the Jainas worship 'Ananta Tirthankara.' The concluding ceremony of this nompy was usually performed by the couple.44 This nompy seems to have become widely popular and is prevalent even to this day. There are many epigraphical references to this nompy. An inscription belonging to the late 19th Century found at Sravaņabelgolă states that while concluding this nompy at Bhandara basti, Śravaņabelgola, the image of fourteen Tirthankaras, beginning with Vrşabha and ending with Ananta Tirthankara were presented by Chittiram Appava Śrāvaka of Tanja Nagaram. Yet another inscription found at Akkigunda near Sangali states that the image of Cauvisa Tirthařkara was presented by Padami Goudi, Sugigavdi and other Bhavyas of Harati, disciples of Jayakirti Bhațțāraka Deva of Mula sangha, Surasta gana, on the occasion of udyā pana, after performing the religious observance of Ananta nompy.45 Two more inscriptions of Varakodu, dated 1425 and 1431 also deal with the performance of Ananta nompy by the Bhavyas of that place. 46
Śivarātri and Gauri nompies are the religious feasts observed by the Hindus of Karnataka. The Jainised form of observation of these nompies may be attributed to the popular Viraśaiva Movement. The Jainas worshipped Tirthankara Adinātha instead of Siva. On the occasion of this nompy, abhi şeka is performed four times during the night at regular intervals. Gauri, Yakşi of þreyāmsa Tirthankara was worshipped by the Jainas. This was in contrast to the popular Hindu conception of Gauri pājā, wherein Goddess Gauri, wife of divine Śiva and her son, Ganeša are worshipped.
The Jainised form of Nagara.pañcami, constituted the worship of Pārsvanatha Tirthankara along with Yakşa Dharaṇendra and Yakşi Padmavati. On the contrary, the Non-Jainas worshipped the ant-hills and this was ridiculed by the Jainas. 47
The contemporary socio-religious rivalries and atrocities on the Jaina shrines and monks by a section of conceited Non-Jaina religious group has been picturised in the Vastu-kalyāṇada nompy.
44 Nom. Ka-BSK. 45 EC, II. 46 M. A. R. for 1920. 47 Nom. Ka-H PN.