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Antiquity of Jainism
८३५ in the times of Nandas and Mauryas. It seems that the image worship might have been copied by the Brahmanas from the Jains.
It is possible to suggest from the evidence of articles discovered that Jainism was not unknown among the people of the Indus Valley. Some nude images and the nude figures on the seals have been discovered at Mohenjodaro and Harrappa. Nudity has been the special characteristic of Jainism. Even Rishabha, the first Tirthankara observed the vow of nudity. The pictures 1. JBORS. Vol. III, Pt. IV, P. 458, & JBORS 1937 P. 130-32. Nos. 15 & 16 of plate XIII represent a seated image with a hood over its head attended by a half kneeling figure in respectful attitude. This may be the representation of the seventh Tirthankara Suparsvanatha. The bull is the cognizance of Rishabha Dēva. The standing deity figured on seals three to five with a bull in the fore ground may be the proto-type of Rishabha.3 Some statues have been discovered also in the meditative mood, the half shut eyes, being fixed on the tips of the nose both in the sitting and standing poses. These statues and images on the seals may be taken to indicate that the people of the Indus Valley at this time not only practised Yoga but worshipped the images of Yogis. In the Adipurana (Book XXI) there are the instructions given about the meditation. With regard to the eyes, it is stated that they should neither be kept wide open, nor totally shut up. The Kayōtsarga posture of standing is peculiarly Jain. In the Adipurana Book XVIII, it is described in connection with the penances of Rishabha. This is also the characteristic of the Jain images at present.
These images have been described by Marshal as the proto-type of Siva. But with due difference to the illustrious scholar, an argument can be hazarded that the word Siva meaning the auspicious occurs as an epithet of Rudra in the Rigveda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Vēda. It is only Rudra and not Siva who is praised in all hymns. He is represented in these hymns as a malevolent deity causing death and disease among men and cattle. The physical description of Rudra is found in a number of hymns in great detail. For instance in some
1. Mahapurana, Parvas XVIII-XX and Acharanga Sutra. 2. Marshall-Mohenjodaro and the Indus Valley Civilization P. 60.
8. Chanda, Modern Review, August 1932 pp. 156-159.
