Jain Temples of Rajasthan

Author(s): Sehdav Kumar
Publisher: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Art Abhinav Publications

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The significance of the lotus as a divine attribute held in the hand can vary according to who is holding it. The lotus emerging from Visņu's navel symbolises the earth, while the stalk represents the cosmic mountain Meru, the axis of the universe. In Visnu's hand, the lotus symbolises water, in Śri-Lakṣmi's hand, wealth. When goddess Parvati holds the lotus the flower symbolises detachment, while in Indra's hand it signifies prosperity. The flower also represents the idea of divine play. The universe and all its manifestations are often characterised as nothing but reflections of the Supreme Being's playfulness.
The close association of Vişņu and the lotus is evident from such epithets as Padmanabha 'lotus-naveled', Pundarikṣa 'lotus-eyed', Padmapāni — 'lotus-handed', also the epithet for Buddhist saviour-god Avalokitesvara. The Buddhists may have first adopted the lotus as both a divine seat and an emblem held
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A domical ceiling in north portico with five courses in the Lunavasihi temple.