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JAIN SYMBOL
आहसा
परस्परोपग्रहो जीवानाम्
This Symbol was adopted by all sects of Jainism while commemorating the 2500th anniversary of the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira. The outline of the symbol is defined as the Universe (Three Loks). The Lower part of the symbol represents the Seven Hells (Naraki). The Middle part of the universe contains the Earth and the Planets (Manushyalok). The Upper part contains the Heavenly abodes (Devlok) of all the celestial beings and abode of the Siddhas (Siddhashila)
The Raised Hand with a Circle and the word Ahimsa means stop violence in any form. The Wheel in the hand shows that if we ignore these and carry on violent activities, then the cycles of birth and death will go on rotating like a wheel. The Four Arms of the Swastika means four Gaties (destinies): heavenly beings, human beings, animal beings, (including birds, bugs, and plants) and hellish beings. Our aim should be the liberation and not the rebirth.
The Three Dots above the Swastika represent the Three Jewels of Jainism: Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Jnan (Right Knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct). We should have all three: right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct together, then only can we achieve the liberation. The right knowledge means having the knowledge that soul and body are separate and that the soul, not the body attains the salvation. The right faith means one must have faith in what is told by Jinas, who were omniscient. The right conducts means that our actions should be void of attachment and hatred.
At the very top part of the Jain Universe symbol is a small curved arc. This arc represents the abode of the Siddhas. It is known as the Siddhashila. It is the final resting place of the liberated souls. The dot represents a Siddha. In order to achieve this stage, a soul must destroy all attached karmas. Every living being should strive for this state of the Salvation or Liberation. The colors in the back ground are similar as of Jains flag and have the same meaning.
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