Jaina Iconography

SR No.: 011018
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B Bhattacharya
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 247
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 50

Introduction
and some subordinate deities, the worship of the Siddha-calina, which is kept in a Jaina temple has found a firm hold on the Jaina devotce.
The Digambaras and the Svetāmbaras
The followers of Mahāvīra were originally called Nirgianthas (without a bond)? who latterly received the designation of "Jaina". Tradition and historical records assign to the wellknown division among them into the Svetāmbaras "putting on white clothes' and the Digambaras "Sky-robcd” or wearing no garment, the date of 79 A. D. This almost synchronizes with the time of the similar scctarian division among the Buddhists into the Mahāyāna and the Hinayāna. The real origin of this division is to be looked for in the specific acceptance, which some people accorded to some of the doctrines of Mahāvira or his predecessors while others followed the rest of his or their doctrines. The schism began as carly as the time of the First Council of Pāțaliputra at the end of the fourth century B. C. The visitation of a terrible famine in Magadha led some Jainas to migrate to the south under their leader Bhadrabāhu about 315 B. C. They are said to have planted Jainism for the first time in the Deccan. Those who remained in the faminc-stricken land found a lcader in Sthūlabhadra, who being anxious to preserve the Jaina scriptures summoned a Council at Pataliputra, which collected the Eleventh Anga and renewed the 12th
moon of 3913- 15th of Fitfarti I T HAT means oft 775 FIAT
AT T i.c. serving with a whole-hearted devotion. This is the religious session during the rains. मिचक्रपूजा-.cclebrated in आश्विन and चैत्र देवालि-day of Mahavira's Nirrina. ज्ञानपञ्चमी (कात्तिक
7487.), aipatu ends with this day. 1. Tatag fann fo 2: Fariga fo ...,
1.soka's Pillar Edict vii. Lexicographers like Hemacandra and the author of the Medini make निर्ग्रन्थ synonymous with नग्नक (naked) दिगम्बर
(sky-clad). 2. According to orthodox Digambara Jain tradition Bhadrabāhu and his
followers must have chosen such a place where there had been the Jaina laity to dwell with. Thus, the Deccan was an earlier seat of Jainism when we follow this view.