Jainism in Ealy Medieval Karnataka

Author(s): Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 78

60
Jainism in Early Medicval Karnataka
mirrors, bells, etc. He is then advised to place four pitchers filled with water on the four corners of the diagram. In the third stage, he should draw the figures of dikpalas or the guardian deities of different directions. This being done, the worshipper should finally represent the bhäia in the centre of tlıc circle, and worship him with flowers, perfumes, and unbroken rice by muttering the special mantra prescribed for the goddess Jvälinj.
The above analysis of the Jaina texts on tantrism clearly illustrates the introduction of tantric elements into the worship of the Jaina goddesses in Karnataka. As in the case of Buddhism and Brahmanical religion, tantrism vitally affected Jainism too and influenced the religious outlook of the Karnataka Jaina teachers, who sought the aid of the goddesses for the attainment of ordinary worldly gains and spiritual salvation.
1.
Jvälini-Kalba, v, 2ff, p. 13.