Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

Page 41

JAINA ASCETICS.
29
of the Jina ), whilst others sang Jaina songs about the transitoriness of life.
After these came a cart containing the sandal wood, cocoanuts and tins of clarified butter necessary for the funeral rites, together with a bag of Juvāra (2912), a kind of millet, which would be distributed to the poor when the body was burnt.
Hindu, not as one would have expected Jaina, ascetics followed, playing cymbals and other musical instruments, and owing to the friendliness that exists in Käthiāwād between the sects, both Svetāmbara and Sthānakavāsi laymen followed the ascetics. (I was assured that in most places the Svetāmbara would not have paid such honour to a nun of another sect ).
These were succeeded by people scattering money, food and flowers amongst the crowd of onlookers. There was a great rush amongst the spectators to try and get hold of these, as they are supposed to have the power of fulfilling wishes.
The palanquin itself came next, and this had to be guarded by police, as any woman who can tear a piece of a dead nun's dress thinks she has secured an infallible charm against childlessness.
A dozen or more men carried the palanquin, and there are always eager volunteers for the post of bearer, which is considered very meritorious. Those who cannot act as bearers are given lighted sticks of incense and follow the palanquin with the crowd through the city to the burning .ghāt shouting "jaya jinendra.”