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VASANT CHINCHWADKAR
WORSHIP
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Swastika
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THEN A PERSON IS LOST AND NEEDS TO FIND a way, he/she looks for a sign. The path of spirituality also needs signs at the initial stage to guide the traveller further on. These symbols also create trust and faith within oneself. Jainism is full of these guiding lighthouses that act as a beacon for the lost ships of one's life.
Shrivasta
Vardhamanaka
SYMBOLS CAPTURE THE SPIRIT Dhara Kothari explores Jain symbols and their significance in everyday life
PRIMARY SYMBOLS
The wheel of religion: Bahubali, son of Rishabhdev the first Jain Tirthankara, first moved this wheel at Takshashila. This wheel of religion is brighter than the sun and has seven to twenty-four spokes (some scriptures point to a thousand). It heralds the religious campaign of every Tirthankara. It flashes light and moves in the sky while the Tirthankara has a religious walk (vihaar). This wheel is created on a golden lotus in front of the Tirthankara in samavasarana - the religious auditorium of the Gods. It's the symbol of spreading religious light, also found on the samavasarana gates. The movement of the wheel reminds us to always move towards our ultimate spiritual goal. Over time this symbol was forgotten. The government of India has adopted it from Buddhism.
Aum Hrim: These are the beej mantras widely used in yantras, jaap, meditation and pooja. They have to be written on the earthen altar during the shanti snatra ceremony. Aum is identified with the five categories of religious head, also known as Panch- parameshtis, and Hrim with the twenty-four Tirthankaras. A number of books have been written on its meanings and methods of worship. Ashtamangal: These are eight auspicious symbols (see above): Swastika, Shrivasta (an auspicious sign on the chest), Nandhyavarta (complex swastika), Vardhamanaka, Bhadrasana (a holy seat), Kalasha (Holy pitcher), Minyugala (Fish-couple) and Darpana (Mirror). They have been auspicious since time immemorial and have been depicted in the Kalpasutra. According to the scriptures every Jain has to draw them with pure un-broken rice-grains before the icon of the Tirthankara. Some have reduced this custom to the drawing of a swastika, along with three heaps of rice-grain symbolising knowledge, vision and character. Over this a digit is drawn, a half moon, symbolising the siddhashila. Drawing
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all the eight symbols was proving to be time consuming, so the temple community introduced metallic benches in the temples embossed with these auspicious symbols. These are not to be worshipped but drawn on the embossed figure with sandal paste. These auspicious symbols are found on the divine aerial cars, gates of the samavasarana, chariot procession, doors of the temple and Jain mansions. Today they are also drawn or carved on anything religious. Pratiharya: These are eight divine accompaniments. The word pratiharya is derived from the word pratihari, which means the door-keeper. Gods create eight divine accompaniments when a Tirthankara realises omniscience. No Tirthankara is shown without them, especially if they are in samavasarana. The accompaniments are: the Kalp-vruksh tree, under which the Tirthankara sits, especially during samavasarana; the golden lotus seat on which the Tirthankara sits; a group of three divine umbrellas (chhatras) that hover over the Tirthankara. (It is a symbol of honour and the topmost umbrella is the smallest.) The next is the Halo or the Aura that circles behind the Tirthankara to denote the omniscience level; Gods and Goddesses dancing with the divine chamar; divine musical instruments being played to create divine melodious music; shower of divine flowers from heaven and, finally, a divine scent perforating the atmosphere with its sweet smell. Tirthankara emblems: Each Tirthankara has a symbol of their own for their unique identification. Othwerwise, all temple murtis of the Tirthankaras would appear the same. However, the symbols that are found in the centre right below each statue signify the particular Tirthankara. Symbol of Jain Religion: The Jain Symbol is a congregation of various symbols, each having a deeper meaning. This symbol was adopted by all sects of Jainism while commemorating the 2500th anniversary of the nirvana of Lord Mahavir. The outline defines the universe. The lower part represents the seven hells. The middle contains the Earth. The upper part contains the heavenly abodes of all celestial beings. The raised hand means 'stop'. The word ahimsa in the centre of the wheel means non-violence. The four arms of swastika mean the four destinies, namely -
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