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Jaina Traditions and Archaeological Remains:
Some Observations
J. Manuel and Dr. P. Chennareddy
Introduction
Marshal (1931: 1, pp. 49, 50, 58-60) had asserted the existence of earlier known depictions of proto-Siva and Mother Goddesses in the Harappan context. Now more than seventy years later these contentions particularly those related to Siva have found more concurrences due to the larger number of phallus like objects "made variously of limestone, alabaster, shell, faience, paste, etc.” including those found from later excavations at the sites and newly excavated sites like Dholavira. All these show that linga-worship was probable although according to Lal (1997: p. 225) “not quite proved”. Agrawal (2007: p. 214) states, "the elements of the latter-day Hindu god Siva were already there in the Harappan culture". Similarly, over the years an increasing number of seals and terracotta sculptures that show affinity to the cult of Mother Goddesses have been reported. Various scholars have interpreted some of the male deities on seals as female deities due to long hair and skirt like dress. A cursory survey of literature shows that different types of female figurines are categorized as mother goddesses some are associated with fertility rites, some of them are even referred to as the Lady of Beast (Lal, 1997, p. 226). In this context, admittedly, even though the scholars are not unanimous an air about the element of the divine female is always apparent. This female force in conjunction with Siva has to be Sakti. In the words of Pradhan, (2002:p. 19) "centers of the most pristine Shaivite civilizations were at Harappa and Mohenjodaro". According to him, "the pristine worshippers of Shiva cult, the most powerful force they could most clearly visualize was distinctly in the continuance of Human race- the absolute power of creation, which is capable of multiple manifestations in the universe. Absolute Conscience and Shakti (nature) being manifested as male and female force as manifested in the form of creative organs. The system of worship later crystalised in the form of Shiva Lingums in union with female creative organ, giving rise to the ShivaShakti cult. "Evidently, scholars at large agree to the genesis of Saivism from the Harappan
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