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Introduction
17
a tāntrik system of their own. The carlicr classification divides the gods into 4 classes viz. Jyotişi, Vimānavāsī, Bhavanapati and Vyantara of the Bhavanavāsi class, there are 10 subdivisions-the Asura-, Nāga-, Vidyut-, Suparna-, Agni-, Dvipa-, Udadhi-, Dikvāta and Ghanika-Kumāras. Of the 4th named division, there are 8 kinds --- Piśācas, Bhūtas, Rākşasas, Yakşas, Kinnarīs, Kipurusas, Mahoragas, and Gandharvas. The 9 planets, the Nakşatras, the Stars belong to the region of the Jyotiskas. The Vaimānika gods are of 2 kinds : those born in the halpas and those born above the halpas. The former category of divinjtics falls into twelve classes, who live in the halpas after which they are named : Sudharma, Isāna, Sanat Kumāra, Mahendra, Brahmā, Lāntaka, Sukra (or Mahā Śukra) Salasāra, Anata, Prānala, Ārana and Acyuta.' In the Anullaravimāna, there are 5 places, cach with a god called Indra to rule over it, viz. Vijaya, Vijayanta, Jayanta, Aparājita and Sarvārtha Siddha.” There is a class of gods called Navavidhāna gods such as, Naisarpa, Pānduka, Pingala, Sarvaralna, Mahāpadma, Kāla, Mahābāla, Mānava, and Saṁkha. The Viradevas may be cnumerated as Mānabhadra, Pūrņabhadra, Kapila and Pingala. Out of this long list of divinities, those who actually appear in iconography scem to be the 9 planets under the category of Jyotişigods, the Dikpālas or guardians of the quarters under the hcad of a Bhavanavāsi Yakşas or attendants of the Tirthamkaras under the class of 'yantara-gods, Išāna, Brahmă under the class of Vimānavāsī Gods. Besides these, there are divinities recognised and worshipped by the Jainas, who would not come under any of the above-mentioned categories. For instance, we may mention, the name of the 16 Sruta or Vidyādevīs, the Astamātņkās such as Brahmāṇī,Mahes vari etc., the mothers of the
I.
Ultarādhyayana Sūtra Ch.. 36. Keith: Indian Mythology, the Mythology of the Jainas. Cl. classification and description of gods. Jaina Sūtras (S.B.E.), pp.
225-9,381. 2. Mrs. Stevenson: Heart of Jainism, p. 970. These last but four names
are identical with the gods mentioned in thc Arthuśāstra. Cr. p. 61.
(Mysore Oriental Series). 3. रोहिणी प्रज्ञप्तिर्वज्रशृङ्खला कुलिशाङ्कुशा ।
चक्रेश्वरी नरदत्ता काल्यथासौ महापरा ॥
