Jain Journal 1974 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 73

APRIL, 1974
expressed in definite numbers of years, but are given in palyopamas and sāgaropamas, the last interval being one krore of krores of sagaropamas. The length of the life and the height of the Tirthakaras are in proportion to the length of the interval.10 These particulars are here given according to the Svetambaras.
In connexion with these items of the mythological history of the Jainas, it may be added that they relate the legends of 12 universal monarchs (Cakravartins), of 9 Vasudevas, 9 Baladevas, and 9 Prativasudevas who lived within the period from the first to the 22nd Tirthakara. Together with the 24 Tirthakaras they are the 63 great personages of Jaina history; the legends of their lives form the subject of a great epic work by Hemacandra-the Trişaşṭiśalakāpuruşacarita, which is based on older sources, probably the Vasudevahindi (edited in Bhavnagar, 1906-09, by the Jaina Dharma Prasaraka Sabha).
All Tirthakaras have reached Nirvana at their death. Though, being released from the world, they neither care for nor have any influence on worldly affairs, they have nevertheless become the object of worship and are regarded as the 'gods' (deva) by the Jainas, 11 temples are erected to them where their idols are worshipped.12 The favourite Tirthakaras are the first and the three last ones, but temples of the remaining ones are also met with. The worship of the idols of the Tirthakaras is already mentioned in some canonical books, but no rules for their worship are given ;13 it was, however, already in full sway in the first century of our era, as evidenced by the Paumacariya, the oldest Prakrit kavya of the Jainas, and by the statues of Tirthakaras found in ancient sites-e.g., in the Kankali mound at Mathura which belongs to this period.14 Some sects, especially, a rather recent section of the Svetambaras, the Dhundhia or Sthanakavasins, reject this kind of worship altogether.15
10
See the articles, 'Ages of the World' (Indian), ERE, i, pp. 200 f.
11 See the article 'Atheism (Jaina), ERE, ii, pp. 186 f.
For images and idols of the Jainas see J. Burgess, 'Digambara Jaina Iconography', IA, xxxii (1903), 459 ff.; G. Buehler, 'Specimens of Jaina Sculptures from Mathura' in Epigraphia Indica, ii (1894), 311 ff.; J. Fergusson and J. Burgess Cave Temples, London, 1880, pp. 487 ff.
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12
13 Some kind of worship, however, seems to be implied form the oldest times by the mention of the various ceiya (caitya), or shrines, in the sacred books. These shrines were situated in gardens in which Mahavira resided during his visits to the towns to which they belonged. Cf. Hoernle, Uvasagadasao, tr., p. 2, note 4. Epigr. Ind., ii, 311 f.
15 See 'Notes on the non-Idolatrous Svetambara Jainas', by 'Seeker', 1911; and Margaret Stevenson, 'Notes on Modern Jainism', pp. 13 f.
14