Jain Journal 2006 04

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

Page 14

A.K. Bhattacharyya: Studies in Jaina Iconography
179
sentient objects of the universe (Jivu) have one or the other of the five kāvas for ekendriya jivas or those possessing only one sense, viz., Prithvikāvā, Apakāva, Teukava, Vavukāva and Vanaspatikāva. The kāya theory of the Jain metaphysicists makes ekendriva jius receive the above five kinds of different forms or formal existences, and these are said to be accountable to the jiva's previous actions. When he becomes a Teukava or firelife he may have to pass into an ordinary fire, the light of a lamp a sub-marine fire or a lightning, and the like.'' Agni, according to Jaina tradition, is the presiding deity of speech (Vāc)'". One of the fourteen auspicious dreams is the one that has a flame of fire as its object. The Jaina concept of the tejas is so perfect that it takes note only of the smokeless flame of fire as the object of an auspicious dream. The flame of fire which is thus made the object of an auspicious dream is the symbolic representation of the fiery spirit of the person that is to come by way of the fulfilment of the dream!?. This is in consonance with the theory of the six lessā (lesyā) or psychic forces of the Jains. 18 It is interesting to note that the six different lessās or the paychic forces have each a distinct colour of its own and the fire or ‘teu-lessā'is indicated by the brilliant colour of gold Hiranyapuruşa resembling that of the rising sun. This psychic force or the fiery spirit is acquired according to orthodox Jain tradition by severe austerities. '' This force is, however, used sometimes destructively at a distance20. From a purely biological standpoint the
15. Ibid.
16. Cf. Om Hrim vacadhipataye agnaye namah-Nirvāņakalikā p. 28. Vide, also,
the incantations referring to Agni as the source of speech in Brahmanical Homa-rites ....... vagisvari snāta ......
17. For a fuller discussion of this and other dream symbols, see infra.
18. Vide, Bhagavatisútra, sūtra, 150-60, pp. 188-9,
19. Cf. Malayagiri's comm. on the Suryaprajňapti, and Bhagavatīsūtra pp. 373
74 - 'egāva sanahave kummāsapimdivãe egena va vivadāsaenan chattham chatthenam unikklittenam tabokammenamuddham samkhitta viulatevalesse bhavati'. Also, vide. Uvāsagadasãosutra (tr. by Hoernle) sec. 76, p. 50.
20. Vide, Bhagavatisütra. 214, pp. 232-3.