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TI2
STUDIES IN JAINA ART
Some of these symbols, like the svastika, are of very ancient origin, common to different ancient civilizations and races of the world, and their exact significance is not always easy to comprehend. The full-vase or the Pūrņa-Kalas'a of Vedic literature, is the Indian symbol of fullness of life, of plenty, of immortality. 1
Belief in auspicious objects is very old, common to all sects. Agrawala has already referred to Mangala-mālā amongst Sāñchi reliefs. 2 The Mahabharata, Dronaparva, 82, 20-22, mentions numerous objects which Arjuna looked at and touched as auspicious when starting for battle, amongst which auspicious maidens are also mentioned. 3 The Vamana-Purana, 14. 35-36 mentions several objects which are auspicious. The Brahmavaivarta Purāņa also gives lists of animate and inanimate objects regarded as auspicious." Belief in mangalas and mangala-dravyas is also known to the Rāmāyaṇa. 5
The Full-jar has been discussed by Dr. Coomaraswamy, Yaksas, part II. pp. 61.64; by Dr. Agrawala, J.U.P.H.S., Vol. XVII, pp. 1-6 ff. The two eyes associated with the mangala-kalaśa in Jaina miniatures, are said by Wilhelm Huttemann (Miniature Zum Jina carilra, Bassler-Archin, Vol. 4, (1914), pp. 47-77 ) to symbolize clairvoyant knowledge which sees through uttermost limits. Brown (KSP., p. 12, n.s.) suggests that the association of eyes with the vessel of plenty (clouds ) may indicate a vestigial representation of the sun, which sees all and knows all (cf. Atharva Veda, 19.53.3.)
The Vardhamanaka and Srivatsa symbols are treated by Coomaraswamy, Ostasiatische Zeitschr. (1927-28 ), pp. 181-182 and by Johnson E.H., J.R.A.S. 1931, pp. 558 f. Ibid., 1932, pp. 393 ff. For Svastika, see Brown, W.N., The Svastika.
* Agrawala, V. S., zafa, 54 fishia 76747, p. 120.
3 Also see, Kane, P. V., History of Dharmaśāstra, Vol. II, p. 511. He cites the following verse from a Saunaka-kärikā (ms. Bombay University Library, Folio 22b) which speaks of eight auspicious objects :
दर्पणः पूर्णकलशः कन्या सुमनसोऽक्षताः।
दीपमाला ध्वजा लाजा सम्प्रोक्तं चाष्टमङ्गलम् ।। 4 Cf. Brahmavaivarla Purāņa, Ganapatikhanda, adhyāya 16 and Krisnajanmakhanda, adhyāya 70, both quoted by Sabdakalpadruma, III. p. 564. The Sabdakal padruma, I. p. 148 quotes the following :
मृगराजो वृषो नाग: कलशो व्यजनं तथा।
वैजयन्ती तथा भेरी दीप इत्यष्टमङ्गलम् ॥ इति बृहन्नन्दिकेश्वरपुराणे दुर्गोत्सवपद्धतौ. Also, al SEH-AK71718) Alat nigaizra: 1
RETTI Ffitri 214 TraL ATSEH: Il a pisarat 5 cf. affata aa algat Hai Rāmāyana, II. 23. 29.
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