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A rosary of 108 beads has one or three major beads called Meru. While counting, this Meru is not to be crossed but the rosary has to be reversed so that the last bead is to be counted first. The sanctity of the rosary should be maintained. Care should be taken to see that the rosary is not defiled. Generally counting a rosary made of pure cotton is considered to be the best. Rudraksha and other types of rosaries are also used. 58. The dome: Temples with summits are never without domes. So the architects constructed a dome in front of the summits. In
62. The holy pitcher:
bigger padas requiring more time and so use the rosary of only 27 beads. Majority of the non-Jain sects have also accepted rosary of 108 beads.
59. Dome:
This second type of dome is more found in Rajasthan and west Bengal.
60. Dome:
This third type of dome is found more in Gujarat.
61. The Swastika: This is the most well-known auspicious symbol of Indian culture and it is recognised by all sects.
63. A Design: 64. Kurma
Shila:
The method of counting the beads varies with different religions. For six purposes including the purposes of peace, prosperity, hyptonism etc., in Mantra science five types of rosaries with beads of different colours are prescribed. Experts of the Mantra and Tantra sciences have shown what type of rosary should be used, with which hand the rosary should be held, which fingers should be moved and how and what time should be selected for the practice. All this should be known from other books or preceptors.
66. The crocodile mouth:
Jain temples mostly four types of domes are made. Here three types are shown in numbers 58 to 60. This type shown with number 58 is rarely found. 20 years ago the architects didn't construct them. At present they are constructed at rare places and this dome is not made in royal palaces but in temples. The outline of the summit of a temple is given here.
This is a reproduction from a medieval geometrical figure found as decoration in Kalpa Sutra and borders of covers. This foundation stone is laid at the centre of a Jain temple with a summit. This stone-slab is square-shaped with nine squares in which nine types of figures are carved. This foundation stone has great significance in architecture. It is laid at an auspicious moment by the best person, with great pomp. It is generally believed that this will lead to the successful completion of a Jain temple and its long life will be assured. The object drawn in each square is clear in the illustration. It is called Kurmashila because there is a tortoise at the centre (the tortoise in Sanskrit is called Kurma). Most of the other objects in the illustration are products of the sea.
65. The
The crocodile in ancient Indian sculpture is called Virali. It is carved on the spandrel in the arabesque. As stated by crocodile: the sculptor water is pouring out of the mouth of this figure. It is not proper to show the emanation of flames from its
mouth.
This water animal is called 'Virali in ancient books of sculpture but from the zoological view point it appears to be a species of fish. As a matter of fact this animal is yet not clearly identified but two such figures are always carved on the threshold of the gate of the sanctum of each temple. While entering the temple one has to step on it. The ancient books on sculpture do not clearly state the purpose behind keeping such symbols on the threshold. In a book of narratives Upamiti bhava prapancha katha these two have been mentioned as symbols of attachment and aversion. (This would mean that if you destroy them earlier or later you can reach the feet of the 'Supreme Being'. Perhaps this suggests to crush the enemies in the form of above attachment and hatred. No authoritative or convincing explanation is offered by sculptors when asked to explain)
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The form of the Swastika is believed to be auspicious. If something of this form is kept at home or at the temple or if it is drawn there, it brings luck. That is why the Aryans have honoured it. Since ancient times, the Aryans residing in the west have also honoured it. The Swastika occupies the first place among the eight auspicious symbols in Jainism. The Swastika is also known as a 'Sathia' by Jains in common parlance. In religious rites and at the commencement of many functions there is a custom of drawing or forming it and at present it is worshipped as well. A Sanskrit hymn is also composed for this purpose. As stated in Rayapaseni, Jnata and other Jain Agamas it has found a place in the eight auspicious symbols in heaven. Among the Jains there is a tradition to draw a Swastika before the chariot in the processon at the time of reception of the preceptors, at the arrival of an icon or the preceptor at home, at the commencement of a religious discourse and on many such occasions it is compulsory to make a Gahunli together with a Swastika. So this symbol is widely used by the Jains. Even among others there is a custom to draw a Swastika before the house, him festivals in Rangoli and on occasions such as marriage. (For details see explanation for illustrative strip number 2) Some non-Jains draw the Swastika in a reverse order. This is an auspicious holy pitcher of the Kalpa Sutra style. Details about this are given in explanatory note for symbol number 3. Moreover, in this holy pitcher two eyes as well as two ends of a scarf drawn on the sides are shown. Their significance is not mentioned in any standard text. So inference and imagination have found wide scope but that discussion will be out of place here.
67. Three divine This combination of three divine umbrellas (Chhatras) is one of the eight great divine accompaniments of Tirthankara umbrellas: Deva. When the Tirthankara Deva attains all the best and becomes free from attachment and hatred and becomes
worthy of worship by gods and men thousands of gods constantly remain with them for service and devotion, with great respect. At that time these gods create eight divine accompaniments including Ashoka tree. Among the eight
Note: 9. The custom of showing the eyes in the holy pitcher is seen in non-Jain books.
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