Jinamanjari 2002 04 No 25

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 26

the niches or figured against the walls executed in the round or in high medium relief. (4) Apsara-s or surasundari-s executed on the jañghā, minor niches of the facades, pillar, ceiling-brackets or the recess between pilasters in the interior; secular sculptures like teacher and disciples, dancers and musicians. (5) Animal sculptures including vyāla which is a heraldic beast represented as a rampant homed lion with an armed human rider on the back."
Texts on the Jaina Temples
The science of architecture, Vāstuśāstra in Indian terminology, is all about the principle for architecture and construction, and the practice to strike a balance between the environment and living. It is said that it brings out the positive forces and wards off the negative. From the point of human life and karma, therefore, it may not play a part in the fortune, but it may be suggested that it may govern and make sweet things sweeter and bitter not so bitter.
A short survey of available literature on the Jaina temples from western part of India has been given by Dr. M.A. Dhaky.The Vāstusāstra of Viivakarma (circa late 11th C.E.) was the earliest manual, which contains a special chapter called Jinēndra-mandiralakṣaṇa-āddhikāra dealing about the constructive aspect of Jina temple. The Vāstuvidya (circa early 12th C.E.) discusses the jagati for Jina and the plan of the temple. The Aparājitapicchă of Bhuvanadeva (circa third quarter of the 12th C.E.) describes eight varieties of jagatis for the Jina, and treats its premier variety, șrikarņi as well as the surface plan. The Sridēvyādhikāra (late 12th or early 13th C.E.) has a full chapter called Jinēndra-prāsāda-lakşaņa. Thakkaru Pheru in his Präkrit work, the Siri-Vatthusāra-Payārana (1326 C.E.) describes component parts of a Jain temple. In his work the Prāsādamandana, Sūtradhāra Mandana (mid 15th C.E.) based on earlier texts makes a brief note on the Jaina temple. The Sabhāśringāra (late 15th to early 16th C.E.) describes a Jain temple. And an old Gujarati work, the Saptakşetrirāsu gives a graphic description of a Jain temple.
The Ceyiā, Caityā, Basadi: the place of Jaina worship
The place of Jaina worship has its own technical word. It is called ceyiā in the ancient Jaina language of Prākrt, and it is called caityā in Sanskrit. In the present, the word caityā is in vogue as pan