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INTRODUCTION
of Indrāni is that of Sri Ambika. She is show., in a sitting posture shaded by a fine mango tree carrying an image of Sri Nemināth on her crown. Her right hand which is mutilated probably held a unch of inangoes and the left hand supports a child on her lap. There is a lion crouching at her feet and attendants round about her. Peacocks are shown on the top of the mango tree indicating the advent of spring.
In several metal images of Sri Rsabhadeva is associated the image of Sri Ambikā instead of Sri Cakresvari. Sometimes she is associated with the images of Sri Pārsvanātha and other Tirthankaras also. This can be explained only on the ground of Sri Ambikā being the representative Jain Amnaya deity. This proves the antiquity and popularity of the worship of Sri Ambikā.
In the hymns (Appendices 16-18, 20-21) and Sri Ambikā Mantra Kalpa (Appendix 19) Ambikā is variously described. She is said to have two, four or more arms and to be of golden colour or of red, white or dark-blue colour. We may state here that one and the same deity is differently described as the object desired to be achieved differs. Broadly speaking a Sadhaka may contemplate on the Sattvika (tranquil or peaceful) form of the deity if the object desired by him is Sättvika (peiceful i. e, devoid of passion); similarly the form is Rājasa (imbued with grandeur) or Támasa (terrific), if the object ciesired by the Sadhaka is Rajasa (imbued with passion or desire) or Tamasika (malignant).* Generally the 'Sāttvika' form of a deity is clescribed as having two arms and being in : sitting posture, the Rājasi as having four arms and being in a standing posture and the Tāmasa as having many arms and actually in such action as is in
* यथा कामं तथा ध्यानं कारयेत्साधकोत्तमः । कर कार्येषु सर्वेषु ध्यानं वै तामसं स्मृतं ॥२४॥
बदय विद्वेषण स्तंभे राजसं ध्यानमारितम् । सात्त्विक शुभ कार्येषु ध्यानभेदःसमीरितः ॥२५॥ बालसूर्याशुसंकाशं राजरां ध्यानमुत्यत । सात्त्विक श्वेतवर्णं च कृष्णं (वर्ण )तामसमुच्यते ।।२६।।
- ज्योतिषार्णवे श्रीबटुकभैरवोपासनाच्यायः १२४ ।।
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