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The gradual development of Deities in Jaina Pantheon
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Mantri Vastupāla adored the deity with 108 ślokas in which she is addressed with different names. One stavana “Siddha Sārasvata stavana”59 composed by Sadhvi Śivācāryā whose period is not known. Jinaprabhasūri had also composed a prayer singing her glory in 17 Gathas. He adored Devī Vāk to protect the devotees from all obstacles. The "Sūri mantra Ārādhanāvidhi' of Jinaprabha has described her form along with other mantras. In Abhidhāna Rājendra-Kośa, Śruta-devatā is explained as Sruta stands for Pravacana where presiding deity is Srutadevatā. To comprehend the deity Śrutadevatā a Gatha from Pañcasamgrah is preseñted by Rajendra Sūri60.
4.20 The comparison of the three images of deities with their
inscriptions: Here three images of deities available from Kankālī Tīlā are compared, Sarasvati (J. 24 LM. fig. 32), Āryāvati (fig. 33) and Vidyā (fig. 100). The last two of them have inscriptions invoking with the words ‘Namo Arhato Vadhamānas and Siddham' respectively so these both and inclusive of Sarasvatī, all three are of Jaina pantheon without any doubts. The deities Āryāvatī and Vidyā stand in similar position. One of their arms is in varada and the second is resting on their respective waists. Āryāvati's Ayāgapatta is donated by Amohini for the adoration, established in Kșatrapa period prior to Kuşāņa era, the second is of Kanha Śramaņa where name Vidyā is chiselled near her (deity's) face. Though on both sculptures the word Āyāgapatta or Silāpatta do not occur but the characteristics of them are matched. Here we shall discuss whether both these deities represent the same Suyadevayā Sarasavati cult or not? Up till now it was difficult to recognise the deity Āryāvatī as there is not much mention of her in the scriptures. The name Āryā / Ajjā is referred by Vijayendra Suri in his book 'Tirthankar Mahavira'. Here author has given a list of 10 deities from Nayadhamma-kahao - Indra, Skanda, Rudra, Śiva, Vaisramana, Naga, Bhuta, Yakşa, Ajja and Kotakiriya. He even quoted from Bhagavatī-sūtra that the
59 Jain S., article on Sarasvati.., op.cit. 200-210. 60 Gagas, muita er
तेसिं खवेउ सययं, जेसिं सुयसायरे भत्ती ।।
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