Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 359

Other Jaina Gods and Goddesses
337
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while urdhvakāya Rāhu with dishevelled hair and dreadful appearance is shown in tarpana-mudra. Ketu, however, is always shown with the portion below the waist as being that of a snake and both of his hands being in anjali-mudrā (attitude of adoration). The Jaina temples of Khajuraho have yielded more than fifteen examples of such door-lintels which show the features discussed above. In some examples Surya stands in samabhanga and in some he sits in utkutkāsana while the other six grahas are mostly seated in lalitāsana. Sürya with long boot and a chariot drawn by seven horses, is sometimes joined by Chāyā. However, in one of the examples lying near the entrance of the Jaina Dharmasāla at Khajuraho, the figures of respective mounts are also carved with Navagrahas. JAINA UPADEVATĀS (Minor Jaina Deities)
Of the numerous Jaina Upadevatās (Minor Jaina Deities) only a few are discussed here.
LAUKĀNTIKA GODS Jainism assigns a special duty to the Laukantika gods, who are referred to in the Ācāranga-sutra. The Laukāntika gods residing at the end of heavens (Brahmaloka) approach all the Jinas at the time of their renunciation. They also request the Jinas to establish the 'Dharmatirtha'. The Laukāntikas, invoked for the removal of the obstacles, are the best of the wise, since they had studied the entire Śruta literature in their previous existence. The Bhagavati-sütra gives the following eight classes of the Laukāntika group of deities residing in eight Vimanas (heavens)--
(1) Särasvatas (2) Adityas (3) Vahnis (4) Varunas (5) Gardatoyas (6) Tușitas (7) Avyābädhas (8) Agneyas. According to the same text, there is a Vimāna in the centre of these eight with the god Ristadeva residing in it. Hemacandra, following the Avaśyaka Niryukti, gives the nine classes of Laukāntikas, with the Ristas added to the above list and Maruts replacing the Āgneyas. The Digambara tradition, however, furnishes only eight classes of these group deities replacing Agneyas with Aristas.
Besides the above eight classes, there are sixteen more group-deities known as Devarșis who reside in the regions intervening the above mentioned eight Vimänas and who are being respected even by the gods. They, too, are free from passions and have knowledge of the fourteen 'Purvas'. They are also said to accompany the Laukāntikas at the time of their meeting with the Jinas (Trilokasāra, 539-40). It is interesting to note that the lists of Devarșis given by the Trilokasāra and the Acāradinakara include some well-known Vedic deities like the Maruts, Vasus and Viśve-devas. These, entrusted with the work of praising the Jinas, were assimilated in Jaina pantheon at a time when Vedic deities were very much popular in the society. Iconography of Devarsis According to
Acāradinakara Name Complexion Vāhana Symbol 1. Sarasvatas white swan playing on viņā
Adityas like Sun horse lotuses in hands 3. Vahnis tawny goat Sakata (cart) 4. Varunas dark fish noose 5. Gardatoyas blue peacock corn 6. Tusitas white swan lotus 7. Avyābādhas dark man viņā in hand 8. Aristas dark deer axe 9. Agnyabhas red boar noose and goad 10. Süryabhas like Sun chariot thunderbolt 11. Candrabhas white pitcher lotus 12. Satyabhas white bull rosary 13. Śreyaskaras white elephant varada
and abhaya 14. Kșemankaras white lotus lotus 15. Vrṣabhas red bull 16. Kamacäras Variegated eagle disc.
In the frieze (obtained from Kankäli Țila, Mathura, now in the State Museum, Lucknow, J. 354) showing the dance of Nilāñjanā and consequent renunciation of Rşabhanātha from worldly life, four standing male figures are identified as Laukāntika gods.
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