Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 896

NEW DOCUMENTS OF JAINA PAINTINGS : 397
wears pompons. In the right side appears an elephant rider called gajendra in the label.
In the lower panel appear a chariot ridden by a four-handed god, a four-handed horse rider, a warrior, a bull and a buffalo. Red background.
Both the panels represent the various anikas (paraphernalia of the army) that the Indras of Vyāntara class have. They include: Gāndharvas (musicians), națas and nartakas (actors and dancers), and horse-riders. The gods in the lower region ride buffaloes and gods of the upper regions ride bulls. Size : 21 x 4 cm. approx.
(Colour plate III, Fig. V). Folio 14 A: Symbols of various gods in heaven.
The symbols beginning form the right are: (1) a Deer, (2) a Buffalo, (3) a Sūkara (pig), (4) a mythical lion, (5) a Goat, (6) a mouse represented here like a monkey, (7) a horse, (8) an elephant, (9) a snake, (10) a rhinoceros (khadgi), (11) a bull, (12) and an antelope. Size : 21 x 7 cm. Folio 14 B: Representation of the Vimānas of Gods in different atmospheric regions.
The three Vimānas beginning from the right end, are of the (1) ghanodadhi region, (2) the ghanavata region and the tanuvata region.
The three arched Vimānas (heavenly cars), decorated with flags etc., contain figures of four-handed gods accompanied by their fourhanded spouses. Size : 21 xcn, approx. Folio 19 B and 20 A : (The panels of folio 19 B are continuous with panels of folio 20 A.) Heavens to which certain class of people attain after death.
According to the Samgrahani Sūtra, people dying with anger and enmity towards others are born amongst the Asuras. Those who (1) hang themselves, (2) take poison, (3) drown themselves in the waters, (4) enter fire, (5) die of thirst and hunger, and (5) throw themselves from a mountain (Bhrgupatana) with a good intention, are reborn amongst the Vyantara-devalokas.
It may be noted that the Saivites in ancient India commonly resorted to these practices for attaining salvation. But according to the Jainas, they were reborn as only second-rate godheads.
The above practices are represented in different compartments of the upper panel of the folio 19 B and in the left side compartment of the lower panel. In the first compartment is shown a man throwing