________________
14
Jaina Iconography
are chiefly concerned, and this fact seems to prove that the custom of mentioning the k'alyāņakas in the worship of the Tirthamkaras is a very old one; for otherwise it would be impossible to conceive what could have induced an author to treat so largely of so barren a subject as has been donc in thc Kalpasūtra”.! Besides the images of Tīrtharkaras, the images of other gods and goddesses, though subordinate in type, play not a small part in Jaina Iconography. A closer study of the subject discloses the unmistakable fact how many of the Brāhmanic divinities were silently assimilated into the Jaina Pantheon. Undoubtedly, there was a need for them. Human mind ever seeks ideals realised into forms. Ideas of auspiciousness, prosperity, wealth, kingly splendour or so on found a direct outlet in the sculptor's art-in the images of Gaņeśa, Śri , Kubera, Indra. The long-standing traditions and well-established images of thcsc gods in Brāhmanism directly appealed to the Jainas as they might have appealed to the Buddhists. Thus, they unconventionally welcomed them and admitted into their worship many of them as they connected with the tales of their saints.
Jaina Temple-worship
The integral part of the Jaina worship is performed in their temples. In this way, their temple may be said to be their repository of Dharma. In Brāhmanic religion, though temple is visited on Occasions and pilgrimages, most injunctions of religion, however, such as the Trisandhyā or the 3 prayers, the Gurupājā, Siva-Pūjā, Śrāddha, Tarpaņa, Vrata-Pūjā, the Devi-Pūjās and the l'ajñas are followcd in practice in individual homes. In this respect, the Jaina Religion marks a great contrast to Brāhmanic religion. The Jainas in optional cases keep an image in their houses, do not undergo the special ritualistic formalism in their private worship. The temples are their churches, where besides the daily worship of the images by the religious officiants, religious books are kept, the Āratis or waving rites are attended largely by men, women and boys with sincere faith and devotion. There are occasions
1.
Jaina Sūtras (S.B.E.) by Jacobi, Part I. Introduction Lii.
