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INTRODUCTION OF 144 SYMBOLS PRINTED 1"x1" SQUARES IN BETWEEN THE ARTICLE OF 48 PICTORIAL INTRODUCTION
1. The lion:
2. The holy
pitcher:
3. The
elephant:
This figure of a lion is a replica of a similar figure on a Jain monument at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. This is the sculptor's artistic concept of a lion. The introduction to the symbols begins with a lion as the latter is the emblem of Shraman Bhagawan Mahavira. The lion is looked upon as the king of the forest and as a symbol of bravery and adventure. He has an honourable place in all icons of stone and metals, which have arabesque of Jain art. The lion is considered to be auspicious among the eight auspicious symbols in the world. He has a distinct place in the fourteen dreams. The mother of every Tirthankara sees a lion in one of the great fourteen dreams that herald the conceiving of a Tirthankara. Indian books on the science of dreams declare that one who sees a lion in a dream gets the best fortune. This is the sixth auspicious symbol among the eight symbols well-known in Jainism. These eight auspicious symbols are known as Ashta-Mangal' and they bring bliss in life. Jains and others install a holy pitcher full of water when they start any auspicious function, inaugurate a new building of any undertaking, complete any religious rite or recite the hymns of peace (Shanti snatra). This symbol is used to invoke peace and prosperity in Indian culture and people have great faith in it. There was a remarkable custom of carving the eight auspicious symbols on the lintel of the main gate of temples and the houses of people. They were carved on stone or wood. Even today such symbols are seen at many place. These eight auspicious symbols are 1. The Swastika, 2. Shree-Vatsa, 3. The Nandyavarta (complex swastika), 4. Vardhamanaka (Sharava Samputa-pair of earthen bowls), 5. The Kalash (holy pitcher), 6. The Bhadrasana (Royal comfortable chair). 7. The pair of fish and 8. The Mirror. This illustration is reproduced from an illustrated Jain Kalpa-Sutra, which was highly honoured in the mediaeval age. The illustration follows the internationally known style of drawing. This is the reproduction of a figure of an elephant in action carved on a Jain monument at Mathura. The elephant is the most famous, attractive, very intelligent and auspicious animal of India. Among the animals, the elephant has the largest body. The elephant is absolutely herbivorous and either black or white. The elephant has been given a special place in the podium under the Tirthankara's icons with arabesques. The elephant is used for ridding or for carrying an icon, a religious book or an honourable person in important processions all over India. In ancient times the armies had divisions of elephants. They were covered with armours of steel. Such speciments of armours can be seen in museums. Elephants have flourished particularly in Mysore State in the south, Assam in the east and Africa. Outside India elephants abound in Africa but the elephants in the forests of Africa are very tall and broad, ugly and ferocious. They have big ears and can be hardly domesticated. The Jain ascetic who is a preceptor adorns a wooden seat and gives a lesson of a religious aphorism to his disciple who is an ascetic. The disciple holds in his hand a long palmleaf page which bears religious writing. Their dress is different from what it is today. This dress (fixed for any reason) is found by way of tradition in copies of ancient palmleaf manuscripts and copies of Kalpa-Sutra and other texts written on paper. Before about 600 years palmleaves were liberally used in Gujarat for writing. Between them is 'Sthapanacharya and a book-stand in vertical position. This in ordinary parlance is called Thavani". The Sthapanacharya is an Inevitable gadget among the paraphernalia of ascetics both males and females. They invariably keep the same with them. It contains Aksha and is kept for the installation of the five great supreme being who are collectively known as pancha parameshthi. At present the words bookstand and Sthapanacharya have become synonym. A disciple serving the preceptor is seen standing behind him. This illustration follows the style of an illustrated Kalpa-Sutra text of the thirteenth century. This is an adorable carving on the Jain monument at Mathura. The swan is a popular bird of India. It is particularly a favourite bird of poets and authors of poetics. The swan is mostly seen in sculpture and architecture. In Jain temples with domes the lowest strip is called hamsa - Thar (the strip of swans) where in only a whole line of swans is carved out. Besides in arabesque of a Jain icon a line of swans is particularly carved out at the top the circular part. Poets have compared the attractive gait of a woman with that of a swan which has a very charming gait. According to the poetic convention the peculiar beak of the swan can separate milk from water, This is a famous auspicious musical instrument (belonging to the class of wind musical instruments). Before some years this musical instrument was played thrice a day at temples and palaces. (For further explanation see the note for symbol Number 20 )
4. Sutra
reading:
5. The swan:
6. Shahanai:
Note: 1 For further explanation see the introduction of illustrative strip No3. Note: 2. This convention continued till the 20th Century but with the foreign type R.C.C. cement structures this auspicious convention has
almost been discontinued. But these symbols can be precast, embossed, carved. pasted or painted in every house so that the inmates
may get prosperity and enjoy bliss and peace. Note. 3. Kalpa-Sutra describes the elephant scen in one of fourteen dreams as white. At present such an elephant is in Thailand-Siam. Recently
a white clephant is in Naga Land near Assam. In ancient times, there were many white elephants in this country.
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