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Jainism in Early Archaeology
Jinas in Kayotsarga posture led some scholars to believe that Jainism existed in India long before Mahavira and Parsva On the one hand its origin, theoretically, could be traced in the 'Sramanıc6 tradition and on the other hand, practically the proto-form of Kayotsarga could be visualised in some of the images found from Mohenjodaro and Harappa A few seals discovered from Mohenjodaro? show human figures in a standing posture For example on a seal found from Harappa we find in the upper register an ascetic in Kayotsarga posture in a jungle who is being worshipped by a lay follower seated beside a bull, and in the lower half again seven figures are standing in the same posture This identification is taken to suggest the existence of Jainism in Harappan times Besides this, a torso found from Harappa, nude and in standing posture lost in mediation, closely resembles the Jain images of the Kusana period
However, it is difficult to accept the above suggestion Firstly in the present state of our knowledge in the absence of decipher ment of Indus script nothing can be said with certainty about the real state of their religion Secondly, leaving aside all other factors, in the Harappa male torso, without knowing the actual position of hands, and in persence of two large circular depression on shoulder fronts, how it could be described as Kayotsarga posture Actually, the introduction of the Jain image of a Tirthankara seems to be a later development No Jain canonical text refers to images or shrines dedicated to any of the 24 Tirthankaras.' Scholars are of the opinion
Letters, Calcutta, 1920, pp 1-80) Cf Jacobi, 'Mahavira and his predecessors' Indian Antiquary, Vol IX, 1880, pp 158 163 The Age of Imperial Unity, p 415 The mention of sisnadevas (naked gods) in RV (VII 21 5) is also note worthy 6 The Tattiriya Aranyaka speaks of Sramanas who, called Vatarasunah They led a celibate life and were could disappear at will, Cf Bri Up 4322, ML Mehta, Jain Culture, p 7 7 J Marshall, Mohenjodaro and Indus Valley Civilization, Vol III, pl 12-16, 18 CF Kamala Prasad Jain in Modern Review, 1932, p 152 8 Marshall, op cit, 1, pp 45-46, pl X For its Jain association, see, M L Mehta Jain Culture (P V Research Institute, Varanasi, 1969), p 6 9 They mention a number of Catyas which were dedicated to Yaksas There is a general reference to arhat caitya in the Vyakhya prajnapatı and Upasukadasa Anga Sutras The Inatadharmakatha makes a general reference to the worship of Jain images by Draupadi We come across descriptions of eternal images Sasvata pratimah in Rajaprasniya, Sthananga and Jivabhigama Sutras (Mehta op cit, P125)
