Jain Journal 1981 01

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

Page 42

JANUARY, 1981
115
The middle of the courtyard is enclosed by four walls with a flat roof, all made of stone. The entablatures of the exterior are carved with the images of Adisvara, seated cross-legged under the shade of a three tiered umbrella. There are also figures of the God canopied by the double arch formed by the gracefully lifted trunks of two elephants, one on either side of him. We also find an array of musicians, playing on various instruments, gods riding on diferent kinds of animals, angels fanning the cross-legged Adisvara seated in meditation, which add to the artistic excellence of the courtyard. Inside the courtyard are carved on the cornice running round the top of the wall, the images of Krsna, treading on the serpent Kaliya, Ganesa, Hanumana and other Hindu gods.
There are also housed in the ardhamandapa of the shrine five idols of granite of what the common man calls the Pancapandavas. But, they really represent only the Five Supreme Ones, known as the “Pancaparamestins", according to Jain Scriptures, viz., (1) Siddhas, (2) Arhatas, (3) Acaryas, (4) Upadhyayas, (5) Sadhus. The absence of Draupadi in the array of the five idols, so called Pandavas, should refute the popular classification of them as the Pandavas.
One is struck with wonder at the catholicity, tolerance and adaptation of the Jain builders of the temple at Vijayamangalam in accommodating niches to the Hindu deities also in their pantheon. It should rather sound strange and paradoxical that history refers to relentless religious feuds between the Jains and the Hindus of Tamilnadu in ancient times, particularly, when we find a Hindu deity and a Jain Tirthankar enshrined together.
The shrine is in charge of a priest belonging to the ‘Digambara' (skyclad) sect, one of the two sects of the Jainism, the other being 'Svetambara' (whiteclad). As such the deity is not apparelled in any kind of cloth, nor any kind of festival is celebrated in the temple, as the Jains are essentially non-believers in rituals. However, the deities are anointed with water, milk, curd, sandal etc.
Outside the shrine is a deep well, believed to have sprung as a result of a single stroke on the ground made by Bhima with his club. The water of the well is said to have medicinal properties.
There are numerous inscriptions on the walls of the temple. Besides the Jain Basthis, there are also two ancient small shrines dedicated to Lord Visnu and Lord Siva which also contain many inscriptions. The construction of the temple dates back of the times of the Ganga kings of Mysore who build the famous Jain colossus at Sravanabelagola.