Purushartha Siddhupaya

Author(s): Amrutchandracharya, Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp

Page 6

Front cover illustration:
The Jaina Flag* The Jaina Flag was conceptualized by Achārya 108 Vidyanandji Muniraj, and was approved and adopted as a Jaina symbol with the consent of Acharya Dharmasagarji, Acharya Deshabhushanji, Achārya Tulsiji, Acharya Sushil Kumarji, Munishri Janak Vijayji and many other saints and nuns (Āryikās), in 1974, as the nation was preparing for the grand celebration of the 2500th Nirvāņa Anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthamkara.
The flag is rectangular in shape and the ratio of its width and height is 3:2. It has five colours - red, yellow, white, green and black (or blue). The stripes of red, yellow, green and black are equal in breadth and the white stripe is double their breadth. The Swastika, in the centre of the flag, is saffron in colour. The five colours symbolize the Five Worshipful Beings (Panch Parmesthi): White - Arhat Parmesthi - The Perfect Souls, embodied, who have got rid of all
destructive karmas (ghātiya karmas), Red - Siddha Parmesthi - The Perfect Souls in Nirvāṇa who have got rid of all
karmas (ghātiya as well as aghātiya), Yellow - Achārya Parmesthi - The Masters of Adepts who exhibit great
tenderness towards their disciples, Green - Upadhyāya Parmesthi - The Adepts, embodiment of faith and learning, Black - Sadhu Parmesthi - The Ascetics devoted to the contemplation of the
Self. These five colours also denote five vows, small as well as great; white stands for noninjury (ahimsā), red for truthfulness (satya), yellow for non-stealing (achaurya), green for chastity (brahmacharya), and black for non-attachment (aparigraha). In the centre of the Flag is a Swastika, an ancient Jaina symbol, that denotes the four states of existence - human, celestial, plants and animals, and infernal - of a transmigrating soul. The three dots above the Swastika connote the Three Jewels (ratnatrai) of Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct. Above the three dots is the arc (semi-circle) conceptualizing the Siddha Sila, the abode of the Siddhas, situated at the summit of the universe (lokākāsh). The dot above the arc signifies the eternal bliss enjoyed by the Siddhas.
* The description of the Jaina Flag has been adapted from Achārya Vidynand's Jaina Śāsana Dhwaj, Kundkund Bharti Trust, New Delhi, 2010.
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