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Jain Education Inter
Nityakarmavidhi (Daily Worship). In the recent controversy on the subject, between the late VijayaDharma-Suri and Sagarananda-Suri the occurence of the word Devadravya and its treatment here do not seem to have attracted the attention of the learned controversialists, as otherwise the controversy would not have proceeded much further, owing to the antiquity & authenticity of the Devadravya being sufficiently proved by the present work. The Chapter on Mudra-Vidhi deals with the disposition of fingers so as to form various suggestive diagrams to aid contemplation. It is of unique interest. The Mudras seem to have been described in a seprate chapter as they are mentioned in the other parts of the work in course of various rites and ceremonies. The last chapter describes the complexion, cognizance, birth-constellation, birth Zodical singn, and attendant Yaksha (Male-Deity), and Yakshini (Female Deity), Vidyadevis (Goddesses of Learning), Lokapalas (Protectors of worlds), Grahas (Planets), Yaksha-Brahmashanti and Kshetrapala (Warden of land). As regards the reference to Zodiacal signs we shall deal with the same in its histodical aspect below. This chapter on Mudras as also certain other portions of the work dealing with various ceremonies have great resemblance to Tantrika rites. The author uses the word "Deshika" in connection with Foundation Ceremony or Pada-Pratishtha as meaing the preceptor performing the ceremonies. This is a word ordinarily found used in that sense in Tantras. The Kularnava-Tantra Chapter 17 verse 14 derives it thus:दे॒वतारूपधारित्वाच्छ्रिष्यानुग्रहकारणात् । कुरुणामयमूर्तित्वादेशिकः कथितः प्रिये ॥ १४ ॥ The reference to Ashtamurti (Eight-fold form) in the Daily Worship is significant as the word usually signifies Shiva.
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