Ambika on Jaina Art and Literature

Author(s): Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 30

Ambikā : Antiquity and Tradition
The words Ambā, Ambikā, Ambālikā, Ambāli and Ambi are of great antiquity. They are frequently used in the Vedas, Epics, the Vājasaneyi Samhitā, the Satapatha Brahmania, the Astādhyāyi (of Panini) and several other Brahminical and Jaina works. These words have several applications such as the Mother, good woman (as a term of respect), sister of Rudra, name of Parvati or Durga (wife of Siva), the harvest (as the most productive season), one of the mothers (Krttikās) in Skanda's retinue and the Yaksi of 22nd Tirthankara Neminātha.
Of all the applications, the most common is the Mother' which is reflected in the concept and iconography of Jaina Yaksi Ambikā as well. The worship of the female principle as Mother can be traced in all the ancient civilizations of the world. In India the cult of the Mother goddess existed in some form or other in the Indus valley civilization. The importance of fertility for the existence of the entire mankind can well be understood by the remote antiquity and popularity of the worship of Mother goddess who is associated both with children and vegetation and hence called Jagan-mäta or Jagad-ambā. Her association with vegetation is well worked out in her Säkambari aspect (Markandeya-Purāna, Devi-mahātmya 91. 48-49). She is the mother par excellence sustaining her children,
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