Jain Journal 2006 10 No 04

SR No.: 520264
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 29

A. K. Bhattacharyya : Studies In Jaina Iconography
have very little parallel in the art of either the Buddhists or even the Brahmanical Hindu. These are generally stone pillars surmounted by decorative capitals with tapering ends. The number of faces of these monolithic memorial pillars is generally 12 with 10 rows having in each face of each row the figure of a departed monk with dates. At Nasia in Jaipore such a Kirti-stambha dated V.S. 1844 shows a number of departed monks. It is situated at a temple at this old centre of Jainism. Such Kirti-stambhas or pillars of glory are some times known also by the name of purva-sthaona. The four faces of the base are generally decorated with foliage designs. Another kind of a monolithic dedicatory stone pillar is the Mana-stambha mostly erected as a token of reverence for the Jaina religion itself. These are the memorial stone pillars set up to trumpet the glories of the faith. These were generally erected by pious devotees at a very conspicuous place. specially befor temples such as, Garuda-stambhas. These had in their surmounting capital generally the figure of a Jina seated in the meditation pose and the four faces are usually vacant, the base being decorated either with a svastika or the figure of a lion signifying strength of the religion, or more probably as the emblem of the last Tīrthankara, Mahāvīra. In the Tiloyapannatti110 an eternal temple of Bhavanavāsideva is described thus: Kudovari pattekkam Jinavarabhavanaṁ havedi Ekkekam. Vara- rayana kamcanamayam vicittavinna ramanijjam. Cau-go-urati-sālā-vihim parimana thambha nava thuhā, ṇava-dhayacetta-khidi usavvesum-Jinanikedesum. Such a temple is further attended with the eight auspicious objects viz. Bhingara-kalasadappana-dhaja-camara-chatta-supahaḍḍā, Eya aṭṭha mangalanim pattekkam-ada-ahiya-sayaṁ. A Māna-stambha adorns the fore-front of these temples and is thus described: Paḍima-piḍha-saricchā-pīḍhāthambhana-na-davya. Ekkekka manathambhe aṭṭhāvīsaṁ-Jiņindapadiman cau-disāmsu-simhāsaṇā-virās-ju-tāu111
ITO. Tiloyaрaññatti, See also, Trilokasāra, vi. 989 for these symbols etc. 1. ibid. loc. cit.
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