Mahavira and his Teaching

Author(s): C C Shah, Rishabhdas Ranka, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava Samiti

Page 393

382
KLAUS BRUHN
Heraldic figures have an identity (i.e. a name) or not; they may be closely associated with a particular figure (e.g. Pārsva) or not. What distinguished them is the fact that they belong to an intermediate zone between such figures as show a clear theological connection with the main figure (e.g. Yaksa-and-Yaksi in the case of the Jina) and figures which have no theological character at all (e.g. câmara-bearers). This is a definition with regard to subsidiary figures, and here the Navagrahas appearing on many images (Jina-images and others) are one of the best examples. A general definition is difficult, and we shall therefore content ourselves with an enumeration of typical cases in Indian iconography. Apart from the Navagrahas we can mention the following: Ganesa, Lakşmī, Sarasvatī, Garuđa (i.e. Garuda without Vişnu), Gangā, Yamunā, several nāga motifs (including the worshipping nāga transferred from the Kāliyadamana motif to various avatāra motifs: Gajendramokşa, Nșsimha, Trivikrama, Varāha). Some motifs are almost invariably “heraldic”, others only in certain contexts. The term "heraldic" has been chosen without much consideration for its current meaning. This is in no way intended to exclude the employment of an alternative term.
V. Syntax:
The present article offers an opportunity to re-examine some of the theoretical sections of the Deogarh monograph, and as the matter in question shows some analogy to syntactical problems in language we have chosen the above heading.
In the first instance, the present inquiry offers an opportunity to supplement Deogarh $ 233 (unconventional Pārsva-images) by a more systematic discussion of the issue. Again, a few elements of our article simply confirm observations made in the Deogarh monograph. Compare Section II (point x) with Deogarh $ 293: rigidity of iconographic conventions. The Rși is a *contribute of Pārsva in the sense of Deogarh $ 297. The description of the Golakot image in Section II is a demonstration for Deogarh $ 321: necessity of distribution data in the description of isolated images.