Jain Journal 2006 04

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

Page 16

A.K. Bhattacharyya: Studies in Jaina iconography
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II and the Saiva seal from Sirkap2 are some of the earliest representations of this association of the Trisüla with the Saiva cult.27 The Triśūla in Jaina art stands for one of the early symbols of a Lord of the Quarters. In texts relating to religious and secular architecture it is prescribed that on the land selected for the construction of a palace, a Kurmasilā is to be placed as a matter more of religious necessity than anything else. This prescription is followed also in the later texts of the Jains. The Vatthusārapavaranan following this tradition lays down the same formulae with regard to the establishment of Kūrmasilā. On the eight sides of this are to be placed the eight symbols for the Dikpālas in the eight or more properly nine Khusilas, one being placed just beneath the Kurmasilā?'. The symbol there used for the eighth Lord of the Quarters is the Trisula placed on the Saubhāgini slab of stone?". Here Triśūla symbolises the Tantric character of īsāna, the eighth Lord of the Quarters!. It really signifies and makes clear one fact, namely, that the idea of a Triad that is all sacred to Buddhism and Jainism in the formation of the Triratna and which dates as early
26. A.S.I.-A.R. for 1914-15, p. 51, pl. XXIV.
27. The association of Trisūla with the Saiva cult is, however, not universal, the
use of Triśüla with the floating banner is also met with in connection with royal insignia. Vide, A.K. Coomaraswamy-H.I.I.A.P 26 fn 2.
28. Kșirārnava of Viśvakarmā p. 3ff.
29.
Cf. padhamam gaddāvivaram jalam tam aha kakkaram tam kunah kummanivesam attham khurassilā tayaņu şuttavihi . . III. 2.
The description of a kürmasilā in the präsādamandana of sūtradhāra Mandana - ardhangulo bhavet kurma ekahaste surālaye ardhangulāt tato vrddhah kārvā tithikaravadhih ekatrimsat karantam ca tadurddhā viddhirisvate tatorddhapi satārddhantam kurvādangulamanatah caturthāmsādhikā jvestha kanistha hinayogataḥ. Quoted in Vatthusārapayaranam (ed. by B. Jain), p. 103.
30.
Kșirārnava of Viśvakarmā x. loc. cit.
31.
Niryānakalikā - p. 30
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