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Jaina Symbols and Technical Terms
143
Palamva
Sāmāyika-Pātha
Samavasarana
Srivatsa
Svastika
'Pendant jewels'. Some commentators explain it as 'long' applied to silks.
The hymns which the Jainas recitc in the beginning of their meditation. It is believed that the Tirthankaras rise upto 5000 man's height and Indra constructs the famous Samavasaraṇa consisting of 12 Sabhās. (Cf. Prof. Bhandarkar's note on the subject. Ind. Ant. 1911 June). a diagram resembling a lower of four petals arranged at right angles one to another or a curl of hair.
A mystical cross which is believed to bring good fortune to the wearer thereof and which resembles a Greek cross with ends turned in at right angles. This symbol is probably very ancient, as it was one of the chief marks on the feet of Buddha. Prof. Burnouf (sce Schliemann's Troy p. 103) holds that it is intended to denote the invention of the fire drill. The Svastika has been observed on greek pottery of antiquity, on innumerable ornaments in the catacombs of Rome, on ancient personal ornaments in Scandinavia, on ancient urns and weapons in Britain, in devices in Japan and Britain, on coffins in China and on Church bells in England'ı.
1.
Anderson, catalogue Part II, p. 197, for an interesting article of this, subject, see Ind. Ant. Vol. VII, p. 176, also Thomas, Ind. Ant. Vol. IX p. 65, Beal Ibid., p. 67.
