Jain Journal 2006 07

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

Page 10

A.K. Bhattacharyya: Studies in Jaina Iconography
signifying śri or Lakṣmi whose symbol par excellence is the lotus. The kalasa together with the surmounting lotus buds shown with a devotee playing the symbals (or blowing the conch?) just above, curved in relief in the niche of an arch is depicted as being carried over the back (?) of a person, who places a hand on the kalasa and whose head only is visibles. The entire composition, therefore, cannot but stand for a religious motif and kalasa as the centre of the composition, as it obtains now, undoubtedly stands for the purnakalasa, so familiar in later mythology and art. This Kusana sculpture, therefore, marks the beginning of the acceptance of the pūrṇa-kalasa as an auspicious religious symbol which was later on taken in the group of the aştamangalas by the Jains.
The next symbol, 5th in the list, coming under the same group is the śrī-vatsa. It is a geometrical pattern of a four petalled flower, the petals being arranged at right angles. The choice for a flower is very significant here. The purity and whiteness of a flower is designed to represent the pure knowledge, the Kevala Jñana of the Lord which he holds in his heart within'. This śri-vatsa symbol, it may be noted here, is common to Vaisnava and Jain icons where in the former it is a symbol of Vişnuite images. The śri-vatsa is a lunar symbol according to a Brahmanic tradition. It is clearly proved when we accept its being borrowed from the orthodox Hindu ideas. The śri-vatsa as the ornamental mark representing a jem on the breast of Visnu is said in Brāhmaṇic conception, to stand for the moon while the Kaustabha stands for the sun." 52
The next symbol is that of a pair of Fish. The insignia of the Fish formed the distinctive characteristic of the Minas of the Mahenjo
50. See, pl. Sm. fig. 6
51. Cf. antaḥ paramajñānam yadbhāti Jinādhināthahṛdayasya
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tacchri-vatsavyājat prakaṭībhūtaṁ vahirvande.
- Acaradinakara, loc. cit.
52. Cf. maleyam bhutamātā te kanthe tişthatu sarvadā/ Śrivatsa-kaustubhau cemau Candradityacchalena ha.// -Varahapurana, ch. 31. v. 16.