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8. Twelve signs This strip is associated with astrology. The twelve zodiacal signs with significant letters related to each of them are of the Zodiac shown here. With the help of these zodiacal signs in the horoscope one's past, present and future life can be known. (Astrology
How surprising it is that the future of the infinite number of being can be known only from these twelve zodiacal Strip):
signs. These twelve zodiacal signs are associated with the future of inanimate objects as well. These zodiacal signs play
significant role in the good and evil effect on living beings and inanimate objects. 9. Eightfold This strip shows in sequence how the eightfold worship of the icon of Tirthankara Deva is performed with devotion. Worship: (It is also known as Anga Puja or Agra Puja). At first the worship is done with water and it is followed with the
sandal paste, flowers, incense, a lamp, rice-grains and offering of food in order. In such offering some sweets or sweet eatables are placed on the figure of the Swastika, with two hands. At the eighth stage of worship a fruit is placed on the figure of Siddha Shila made with rice-grains and prayer is offered for liberation. The first three rites are Anga Puja and so they are performed in the sanctorum and the remaining rites being Agra Puja are performed in the mid-temple before Bhagawan. There are different holy verses to be recited at each stage of such worship. These verses are recited by all persons who perform such rites. This worship is known as Dravya Puja. After the eighth rite of worship of offering a fruit the Jain householders and the womenfolk worship Bhagawan while paying obeisance to the temple and reciting hymns and prayers. The Jain ascetics both males and females recite only hymns and prayers because of their strict code of discipline
(Bhava Puja). 10. Events In this strip the five auspicious and other significant incidents from the life of Shraman Bhagawan Mahavira are from the Life depicted. The incidents are related to his departure from heaven, his birth, his tests by the gods, his initiation, his of Bhagawan
harassment by Chandakaushika, his ear-plugging with wooden pegs, Chandanbala's offering to him, his supreme Mahavira:
enlightenment and liberation. The detailed narration about these incidents is given in the explanatory notes on the
full page multicolour 35 paintings. Hence it is shortened here. 11. Tippani The Tippani dance of Gujarat is depicted here. This dance is performed when the floor of the terrace is to be Dance
strengthened. At this time even the masons enjoy dancing and music with the workers. This illustration has nothing (Gujarati Style): religious about it but it being popular in Gujarat is given here. 12. The
In the whole universe the soul assumes 84 lacs of different bodies at different times. The bodies go on integrating Dynamics of and disintegrating. The strip shows their classification into 563 Groups? All these beings are the Soul: classified into two major groups of static beings and those beings which can move. Those beings which cannot move
volitionally are known as sthavara beings and those which can move volitionally are called Trasa beings. The former group includes being having only one sense. The earth, water, fire, air and vegetation fall in this group. According to the Jain philosophy the mud in the earth is made up of bodies of such beings, so the Jain texts describe them as Prithvi Kaya. Water itself is the body 4) of the beings and so the Jain texts describe them as Apkaya. Similarly light produced from wood, electricity etc. has got bodies 44 known as Agni Tejas. Air itself is the body of the beings. All vegetation form the bodies of the being. All these beings have assumed a body to suit their particular birth. They have none of the remaining four senses and they do not grasp object of the senses. The Trasa group of beings includes all these having two to five senses. The strip shows the conch shell, the kodi, the leach etc. as having two senses. In the group of beings with three senses are included the ant, the bug, the black ant. In the group of beings with four senses are included the scorpion, the mosquito, the fly " etc. In the group of five senses Tiryancha, Dev, man and hell are included. In the group of beings with five senses are shown acquatic animals, animals and birds as Tiryancha, gods, men, and infernal beings respectively shown as flying in the divine aerial car, sitting on the throne as a king and embracing a pillar
beside which a god of hell is shown. 13. Religious This is a famous and distinct illustration. A Jain religious preceptor is sitting on a wooden stool. In front of him is Discourse: placed Sthapa nacharyaji Then respectively are shown the saints the kings, the Jain householders, female saints
and the womenfolk. They listen to the religious discourse with folded hands and have adopted a peculiar posture for sitting. A disciple is shown behind the preceptor whom he serves. The saint sitting in front of the preceptor holds a long palmleaf of the scripture. In his armpit he holds the Rajoharan. they are hearing the lessons with folding legs. The illustration shows impressive expressions on the face of the preceptor. The custom of keeping a long beard and braid of hair in ancient times is reflected in this illustration. The dresses of all are remarkable.
Note: 41 What is the real meaning of 84 lacs of Yonis? The being are infinite in number but they are all classified and included in 84 lacs of types
It there any basis for such classification? Yes. For each Yoni, the classification is based on common colour, smell, taste, touch and form. Thus the blessed ones who were omniscient discovered through their subtle faculty the similarities among the being to forma particular group. This is why the world is said to be composed of 84 lacs of being The Gujarati Sutrapath named 'Satlakh in the Pancha
Pratikra mana-Sutra of Jains has mentioned the number of being in each of these groups Note: 42. For further information about these 563 groups see the book 'Jeeva Vichara' Note: 43 Water in any form has the soul. The water which is visible forms the bodies of the souls. The minute acquatic insects etc. found in it
belongs to the dynamic group of beings. They are distinct from water. This is why the Jain ascetics don Ytouch or drink the water of the
wells and the tanks, to avoid violence to the beings. Note: 44. The light of the fire forms the physical frame of the subtle souls of fire. This is why the Jain saints neither touch nor use fire. Note: 45. There is difference between the statements in the scriptures and the experience of the modern scientists about the senses and forms of
the being
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