Jain Journal 2005 01

SR No.: 520157
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 17

116
JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXIX, NO.3 JANUARY.. 2005
may be divided into ten sub-divisions- like the Asuras, Nāgas etc. The Vyantara devatās are of eighi kinds - like the Pisācas, Bhūtas, Yakşas etc. The nine planets, Nakşatras and the stars belong to the Jyotiskas. There are also Vaimānika gods, divided into two Kalpas and each with twelve classes. There are also other types of deities like the sixteen Srūta or Vidvādevis and the Astamätrkās like Brahmāni, Sarasvati etc., the mothers of the Tirthankaras like Marudevi etc., Kșetrakapāla, the Bhairavas and the Sri Devi. "Most of the gods and goddesses, borrowed from the Brahmanical pantheon, are regarded by the Jainas as devoted adherents of the Tirthankaras".
The images of the Tirthankaras are human in form. There is nothing unusual in their figures. All the images discovered so far are shown in two postures : in Kāvotsarga posture, i.e. standing e and in dhyāna-mudrā posture i. e. seated cross-legged meditation posture. As Jainism believes in severe penance (tapasyā), these two mudrās are only found.
“The distinguishing features of a Jaina figure are its long-hanging arms, the śrīvatsa symbol, the mild form, youthful body and nudity"4. The Jaina images are also described by Varāhamihira in his Brhatsamhitā. According to the Pratisthā-sāra-samgraha of Vasunandi, the characteristics of a Jaina Tīrthankara are :1. Srīvatsa (triangular) Cinha on the chest, 2. The main figure being attended on his right by a Yakşa and on
his left by a Yakșiņi, 3. presence of a tree like Asoka, 4-5. a throne-scat, trilinear umbrella and a lion-throne, 6. Prabhā-mandala or halo round the face of the main figure,
a drum,
showers of celestial blossoms,
8. 3.
Bhattacharya, ibid, p. 18. Bhattacharya, ibid, p. 19.
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