Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

Author(s): Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 53

HISTORY OF JAINISM PRIOR TO MAHĀVIRA
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standing statues with arms, hanging on two sides. But though these early Egyptian and archaic Greek Kouroi show nearly the same pose, they lack the feelings of abandon that characterizes the standing figures on the Indus seals and images of Jainas in the kāyotsarga postures.
Another thing marked is that figures of male deities of Jaina Tīrthankara, emblem engraved on the seats in the contemplative mood, are having same faces, which is another peculiarity of Jaina images, while the figures of male deities, supposed to be prototype of Lord Siva are generally having three faces, three eyes and three horns."
On some seals, the figure of bull engraved below the figure of nude deity standing in kāyotsarga posture is found. The name Vrşabha means, “Bull” and the bull is the emblem of Jina Lord Rşabhadeva. "Therefore, it is possible that the figure of yogi with bull on Indus Valley seals represents the Mahāyogi Rşabha, the first Tīrthankara of Jaina tradition. Thus the figures on the Mohenjo-Daro seals vouchsafe the prevalence of the religion and worship of Jina Rsabha at early period on western coast of the country, India. 'Also signs of Svastika found engraved on a number of seals No-502, 503, 506 & v514 resembles seals of Supārsvanātha, the seventh Tīrthankara of Jaina tradition.22
From these archeological evidences it is clear that there was the presence of Jaina Tīrthankara, especially Lord Rşabhadeva along with the worship of Hindu God who is considered prototype of Lord Śiva, in the Indus Valley Civilization.
"Dr. Vilas A. Sangave, “Aspect of Jaina Religion", P-25
Ganesh Lalwani, Editor, V. G. Nair, 'The Indus Valley Civilization and Rsabha", Jainthology, Calcutta, P-21 2. Ibid., NO.2,P-21 22 Ibid., NO.2,P-25