Book Title: Art of Enlightenment
Author(s): Kalpana Desai
Publisher: Kalpana Desai

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Page 11
________________ Samavasarana or Congregation Hall of Mahavira Samavasarana illustrates the most auspicious event in the life of a Tirthankara. As soon as the Tirthankara attains kevala jnana, omniscience, Indra erects a celestial Pavilion where all the varieties of beings assemble to receive His divine preachings. The Samavasarana is composed of three concentric walls or ramparts; the first and the innermost wall is made of precious gems, the next of gold and the third one of silver. Each wall has four gateways, one in each direction. In the painting, the outermost enclosure appears like a parking place of the vehicles of the dignitaries who have come to hear the sermon. A wide variety of animals have peacefully occupied the second enclosure. The third enclosure has divinities, monks, and lay devotees. In the centre, four identical Jina images facing four cardinal directions are placed on the octagonal crystal pedestal to recreate the original Samavasarana where the Jina was visible to the entire congregation alike from all the directions. Jain Education Intemational For Private & P10nal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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