Nav Smarana

Author(s): Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi

Page 91

It is a strong belief amongst Shvetämbaras as well as Digambaras that a Tirthankara has eight pratihäryas. The Sanskrit word Pratihärya could mean doorkeepers or guards or devoted servants. Some authors translate this word as felicitations and some as attributes. This word in Jain terminology has been used to show the dignity and divine nature of His presence. Whenever a Tirthankara preaches in the samovasarana these eight pratihäryas are always present. These are not only signs of His presence but also show that things do happen or the devas create something miraculous around the Tirthankara.
The eight pratihäryas are:
1. The Tirthankara is seated under an Ashoka tree 2. He is seated on a throne (Simhäsana ) which is studded with jewels and is made by the devas. 3. The devas gently stand either side of Him with a whisk (Chämara). 4. There are always three (triple canopy) Chhatra above His head. 5. There is a divine halo behind Him (bhä-mandal). 6. The devas play the wind instrument (Dundubhi). 7. His language can be understood by all. 8. The gods shower flowers from the sky.
If we look back the lists of atishayas mentioned previously in this section, we would see that some of the pratihäryas are included in those lists. In the list mentioned above, the bold words are considered pratihäryas now. The Shvetämbara scripture, the Samvayänga Sootra, which is believed to have been composed around the first century BCE, mentions some divine attributes, but they are not eight and they are not called pratihäryas.
In another Shvetämbara scripture, the Auppätik Sootra, there is an incident of a devotee, Meghkumär, who goes to listen to the Mahävira Swami's sermon. Whilst describing Mahävira Swami's sermon, the author mentions the following happenings but does not say they are pratihäryas. They are five. A wheel, canopies, a Chämara, a Simhäsana, and a flag.
It is apparent from these lists that even by the third century there was no clear-cut concept of the pratihäryas. Various authors did describe different happenings or divine attributes of the Tirthankara but they were not considered pratihäryas.
Now the question is when did the Jain scholars begin mentioning the eight pratihäryas. The Paumachariyam written by Muni Vimal-Soori has described Mahävira Swami's sermon or assembly. In his description a throne, canopies, whisks, halo (bhä-mandal), a tree (not the Ashoka tree but another called the Kalpa tree), the sound of the gods blowing the Dundubhi, and the rain of flowers, are mentioned. The remaining and the eighth, i.e. the divine sound or language, is not mentioned because the account does not say that the Tirthankara was preaching at that time. In the same book the Paumachariva, the author describes Mahävira's sermon and mentions five divine attributes: a throne, canopies, whisks, an Ashoka-tree and a halo.
Surendra Bothra 'Ilustrated Bhaktamara Stotra' 2 Panch Pratikraman Sartha, Yashovijayji Pathshala, Mehsana, 1988. Page 347