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JAINA CONCEPT OF GOD IN JAINA THEISM
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and in them, or in His own person, is perhaps the most generally worshipped manifestation of Iśvara, the God; and worshipped as Saguņa-Brahman, dwelling in matters.40
Śiva or Mahādeva or Maheśvara, is the destroyer, He who frees ātman from imprisoning forms, who destroys avidyā (nescience) and so gives vidyā (right cognition) and who finally rolling up universe, brings the peace of liberation. He is pictured ever as an ascetic. He is being object of worship for Yogins, who have renounced the world. He rides on bull, the emblem of mind and some times of physical nature, as having subdued it and wears the tiger skin, the emblem of the slay desire nature. Hence he is as the name Siva implies, ānanda, the peace and bliss of ātman, freed from desire and master of mind."
These supreme forms of Isvara or God, separated by functions, but one in essence, stand as the central life of Brahmānda, and from and by them it proceeds, is maintained, and is withdrawn. Their functions should not be confused, but their unity should never be forgotten.
(c) Early Vedic Conception relating to the Creation of the World (Theology)
Brahmā, as the creative God, born in the golden Egg, which grows out of the seed of the one in the waters of matter. He, having meditated, desiring to produce various beings from his own body, first put forth in the waters; in these he placed the seed. “That became a Golden Egg, equal in radiance to the thousand rayed (the sun) in that was born Brahmā himself, the grandfather of all
worlds. 42
A brief detail of world creation as mentioned in the Sivapurāņa" is as follows: 'Brahmā emanated water first and therein
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4° Mahābhārata (śāntiparva), VV. 1514, VV. 1616 *Kenopanişad, III, 12 “? Manusmrti, 1.8-9
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