________________
Sruladevi and Vidyādevis
123
arts and sciences but the texts of Jainism give a different clue namely that through their worship the devotee gets knowledge, character, religion, effort and mental qualities of many kinds.1 Really speaking, in point of fact, these qualities lic at the bottom of all education, whether literary, artistic or scientific.
Sarasvati or Srula-devi
The goddess, as vicwed by the Svetāmbaras rides a swan, has four hands bearing a lotus or Varada book and rosary.2 The Digambara texts seem to give the vehicle of a peacock to Sarasvati.3
A number of images of Śruta-devi have been compared by me. In all cases, the symbols of a book, lotus or a swan are to be noticed. But a strict observance with the canon has not been observed in any case. 4
Śruta-devi, the main goddess of learning, seems to be identical with the consort of Brahmā, a Dikpāla, as described in this book. The attributes of a lute, book and rosary are common. The vehicle of swan is also characteristic of Brahmā. The substitute of peacock for swan, as made by the Digambara seci, agrees with the conception of Sarasvati, who is also the river-goddess in Brāhmanism. The Jain literature, so extensive cven as it exists at present, has been presided over by this goddess.
दृग्ज्ञानचारित्रपरेषु सूरिपुरस्सरेष्वप्यकृतादरो यः ।
Pratisthāsāruddhūra. श्वेतवर्णा श्वेतवस्त्रधारिणी हंसवाहना श्वेतसिंहासनासीना चतुर्भुजा श्वेताजवीणालङ्कृतवामकरा पुस्तकमुक्ताक्षमालालङ्कृतदक्षिणकरा ।
Acāradinakara, Pralisthäkalpa, p. 146.
(MS, Råmaghăța Collection, Benares) Cr. Nirvūnakaliků Ms. (Jñānamandira, Agra). वाग्वादिनि भगवति सरस्वति ह्रीं नमः इत्यनेन मूलमन्त्रेण वेष्टयेत् । ओं ह्रीं मयूरवाहिन्यै नम इति वागधिदेवतां स्थापयेत् ।
Pratisthāsāroddhāra. A two-handed imagc at the Lucknow Muscum No. 8-6/507 is the earlicst. Cf. A four-handed image from Pallu, Bikaner. Another at Deogarh Fort, Scrial. No. 2262. See Indian Images, Part I, pp. 43, 44.
