Jain Journal 1986 10

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

Page 38

68
JAIN JOURNAL
tion gives the following set of asta-mangalas (1) bhṛngāra, a type of vessal, (2) kalasa, the full vase, (3) darpaṇa, the mirror, (4) camara, the flywhisk, (5) dhvaja, the banner, (6) vyajana, the fan, (7) chatra, the parasol, and (8) supratistha, the auspicious seat. The Acaradinakara, a Svetambara text of the fourteenth century A.D. attempts to explain the conception behind each of these symbols. According to it the kalasa is worshipped because the Jina is verily like a kalasa in his family. The mirror is for seeing one's true self. The bhadrasana is worshipped as it is sanctified by the feet of the blessed Lord, the vardhamanaka is suggestive of increase of wealth, fame, merit etc. It is said that the highest knowledge has manifested itself from the heart of the Jina in the form of the śrivatsa-mark on his chest. Svastika, according to this text, singnifies svasti;śānti or peace. The nandyāvarta diagram with its nine points stands for the nine nidhis (treasure). The pair of fish, the symbol of Cupid's banner, was worshipped as he had come to worship the Jina. The records regarding aṣṭa-mangalas are well corroborated with the archaeological discoveries, too. We find depiction of these auspicious symbols on a red sandstone umbrella of circa second century A.D. from Mathura10 which comprises the nandipada, matsyayugma, svastika, puṣpa-dāma, pūrṇa-ghața, ratna-pātra, śrīvatsa and sankhanidhi. Further, an āyāga-pata belonged to the Kushana period displayed in the Lucknow Museum11 shows aṣṭa-mangala symbol. The aṣṭa-mangalas are also represented in the Jaina miniature paintings preserved in the manuscripts or in the paintings on canvas of different patas, and in scroll-paintings of the vijñapti-patras.12
The aṣṭa-mangala silver platter under discussion has been enshrined in the sanctum of Sri Champapura Jain temple, Champanagar (Bhagalpur).13 It is rectangular in shape which measures 20.5 x 15cms. It is beautifully casted and has an artistic flowery designed border all along. The aṣṭa-mangalas (eight auspicess) have been casted in two panels, each containing four. Each of auspicess symbol is separated by a globular pillar crowned by artistic linear design. Unfortunately, it does not bear any inscription. The dotted lines separated the lower and upper panels. This platter begins with svastika symbol which is treated as highly auspices in the Hindu pantheon also. It seems that the maker of this platter was
8 Tiloya-Pannatti, 4, 738, I, p. 236.
• Acara-Dinakare, pp. 197-198.
10 Agrawala, V. S., 'A new Stone Umbrella from Mathura', Journal of U.P. Historical Society, XX (Lucknow-1947), pp. 65-67.
11 Agrawala, V. S., A Guide to Lucknow Museum, p. 2 figure. 5.
12 Jaina Citra Kalpa-druma I, figs. 82, 59.
1 Sinha, A. K., 'Jaina Shrines in Bhagalpur', Jaina Antiquary, vol. 36. No. 2, (Arrah1983); p. 22-23.