________________
Jaina Iconography-a brief survey
Bhimadeva, Mahabhima, Kinnara, Kimpuruşa, Satpuruşa, Mahapuruşa, Ahikäya the lord of the Devas, Mahakaya the lord of the Suras, Gitarati, Sudaruna, Devarat, Hari, Dhatr, Vidhatr, Rşi, Rsipala, Isvara, Mahešvara, Suvaksas, Viśāla, Hasa, Hasyarati, Sveta, Mahāśveta, Patagarat, Patagarati, Surya, Chandra, Sakra, Išana, Sanatkumara, Mahendra, Brahma, Lantakeśvara, Sukra, Sahasrara, Anatendra, Acyuta, Ksettrapala with 20 arms, Brahmasanti etc.
Amongst female deities mention may be made of the following the list being by no means exhaustive. The Sri, Hri, Dhrti, Kirti, Buddhi, Laksmi are some of the abstract deities. There are besides, Srutangi, Ksettradevata, Bhuvanadevf, Sasanadevi, Sarasvatî, Santidevi, Jaya, Vijaya, Ajită, Aparajita, Tumburu, Adhivasana and Amba. This list does not include the purely Hindu Matṛkas which were recognised in Jainism. Their number is here recognised as nine and they are named in Jaina iconography as follows: 1. Brahmani, 2. Mahešvari, 3. Kaumarf, 4. Vaisnavi, 5. Varahi, 6. Indraņi, 7. Chamunda, 8. Tripura and 9. Saṣṭhi.
Dhyanas are also available for the Arhats, the Siddhas, the Acaryyas, the Upadhyayas and the Sadhuvrajas. It is also noteworthy that such abstract concepts as Jñana or knowledge, darsana or philosophy and charitra or good conduct are deified in Jainism and appropriate Dhyanas can be discovered from Jaina religious works*.
In Jaina iconography a place is not denied to the usual Dikpalas numbering ten, the nine Planets of Destiny, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac. The Dhyanas associated with them are not those which we generally meet with in Hindu books, while the Dhyanas of the twelve signs of the Zodiac certainly have an originality special to the Jainas.
The above is a brief survey of the materials available for the study of Jaina iconography. If a search is made further interesting material will be available. In iconography greatest importance should be placed in the Dhyanas which records the law which every sculptor or painter is required to follow. In different place the artists have different technique which will make a few sculptures appear somewhat different, but still the influence of the original Dhyanas will be quite conspicuous.
* No Dhyanas, so far as we know, are mentioned regarding jnana etc. Editor. .: 120 :. [ Shree Atmaramji
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
