Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

Author(s): Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith

Page 86

Mathurā School of Jaina Art
85
In Rājendra-kośa, the same is described separately dangling on Aśoka tree23.
It could be elucidated as a group of eight auspicious symbols depicted in a row. They are considered sacred symbols in all Indian Traditions. In Svetāmbara Jaina tradition - 1. Svastika 2. Śrīvatsa. 3. Nandyāvarta. 4. Vardhamānaka. 5. Bhadrāsana. 6. Kalaśa. 7. Darpana. 8. Matsyayugma. In Digambara Jaina tradition - 1. Bhringāra (jar) 2. Kalaśa 3. Darpaņa 4. Cavara (fly-whisk). 5. Dhvaja (Flag) 6. Vyajanā (Fan) 7. Chatra (Parasol) 8. Supratistha (Seat) 1. Svastika:
There are plenty of seals24 excavated from Indus valley (fig. 65). The depiction of svastika is available on many Ayāgapattaş. One of the Āyāgapattas (fig. 107) comprises a svastika as a main theme having three jewels in a centre with lotus petals. It is considered sacred in India and other countries like Turkey, Germany, China, Japan too. The word is derived from the root ‘su' means good, while ‘asti' stands for existence, thus it denotes good existence or existence for prosperity. Many of mantras in Vedas hold the word svasti.25 This symbol is drawn with saffron on the opening page of account books, ceremonies associated with marriage as well as janoi etc. Besides, it is the lāñchana of the seventh Tīrthankara Supārsvanātha. A practice to prepare a svastika and a symbol of three jewels with a crescent using raw rice is still prevailing in Jaina shrines. It represents four states of Jiva i.e. hell, plants and animal life, human and celestial beings while the three jewels and a crescent is a symbolic representation of liberation. Here only rice grains are used, as it doesn't grow again on sowing, similarly devotees want no birth cycle.
23 अष्टगुणितानि अष्ट वा मंगलानि। स्वनामख्यातेषु श्रीवत्सादिषु तस्स णं असोगवरपायवस्स
उवरिं बहवे अट्ठमंगलगा पण्णत्ता। तं जहा- सोवत्थियं, वत्था, णंदियावत्त, वध्दमाणग, भद्दासण, कलस, मच्छ, दप्पण। तत्र अष्टावष्टाविति वीप्साकरणात् प्रत्येकं तेषडष्टाविति वृध्दाः। अन्ये त्वष्टाविति संख्या अष्ट मंगलानीति च संज्ञा।
- Rajendra kośa, Part-1, pp. 249. 24 Marshall, Sir John, Mohen-Jo-Daro and Indus Valley Civilisation, (London, 1931) V - 3,
pl. no. 500 to 515. 25 Taft 7 gost qazstai: Taft 7:49 faqact: स्वस्ति नस्तार्यो अरिष्टनेमिः स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु।।
- Rgveda, 1.89.6