Jain Journal 2002 10

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

Page 34

Dr. Saraswathi : Basadis: Modes of Worship
101
installed an inage of gold. Some of the excavations and research stud ies made by some archaeologists throw light on the images o Tīrthankaras of Vrsabha and other forms in Mohenjo Daro and other ancient sites.
So far 13 stone images have been excavated in Harappa. There is a reference to Vrşabha Tirtharkara in the Hathigumpha inscription of hāravēla (200 B.C.). This inscription was got inscribed by Emperor Khāra vēla. This Jain inscription narrates how Nanda, the prodessor of Pusyamitra of Magadha, invaded Kalinga and as a mark of his victory, took with him the most precious image of Vrsabha with him, and that after a lapse of 300 years Khāravila got it back from Pusyamitra.
Pārsvanātha images discovered in Thcrāpura have been identified with the period of King Karakandu. It is recognised that Karakandu ruled during the period between the periods of Pārsvanātha Tirthankara and Mahāvīra Tirthankara.
There are references to the modes of worship perforined by Dieties in Tiloyapannatti "Those Dieties offer in worship sweet scented and beautiful flowers like Sevanti, Campakamala, Punnaga and Nagaprabhști. Devegana offer prayer and perform pūjā of the image of Jinendra with varieties of sweets and catables as delicious as nectar.
From the above mentioned sources, it can be noticed that worship of image - idol worship - has been a part and parcel of Jain Culture from ancient times.
In the words of Ācārya Kundakunda, there are certain specific and compulsory acts to be performed by Srāvakas and Sages.
dānam püyä mukkam sāvayadhamme na sāvayā tēna vinā
jāņā jayaņam mukkhain jadi dhamme tam viņā taha nāvi. Under Srāvaka Theology “Dāna' and performances of pūjā arc the chief duties, without which one cannot become a srāvaka. Whereas in the Theology of Sages, meditation and acquisition of knowledge are the chief duties, without which mnunidharina is futile.
In these directions great emphasis is laid on giving dāna and performing pūjā to the Srāvakas. But this does not incan that the Srāvaka need not give attention to meditation and studies. This idea is wellexpressed in the following sloka :
"dēvapūjā gurūpāsti svādhyāyāḥ samyamaḥ tapaḥ/ dānain dēti grhasthānām satkarmāni dinē dinē//