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JAYA-GROUP OF GODDESSES DR. UMAKANT PREMANAND SHAH, M.A., Ph.D.
Jayā, Vijayā, Ajitā or Jayantā and Aparājitā seem to form a group of goddesses, since in the Jaina literature they are usually assigned similar functions and are often invoked together. Sometimes four more goddesses, much less popular, are also included in this group; these latter ones are Jambhā, Mohā, Stambha and Stambhini. The first four are also included amongst Pratīhāras or door-keepers. It is necessary to treat them in their other aspects also.
According to the Nirvanakalika, Jayā is the superintending deity of the gate in the eastern quarter and is worshipped along with Vijaya, Ajitā and Aparājitā amongst the dvārapālas (door-keepers) of the first prākāra (circle in a circular diagram and of any other shape in other yantras) in the diagram of Nandyävarta drawn and worshipped in the pratişthāvidhi. According to this text, the iconography of these four goddesses is as under:Jayā :- White in complexion, and guarding the eastern quarters,
she shows the abhaya, the pāśa, the goad and the mudgara
(mace) in her four hands. Vijayā :- Red in appearance, and door-keeper of the southern
quarter, she carries the same symbols as Jaya. Ajitā :- Same symbols as above. Ajitā is golden, and is assigned
the western gate. Aparājitā:-Black in appearance and guarding the northern-quarter,
Ajitā shows the same symbols as are carried by the other
three goddesses. It may be noted that Hemacandra speaks of them as door-keepers of the second rampart in the Samavasarana and gives them the same symbols and complexion.?
The Acaradinakara does not give the iconography of any of these goddesses discussed here, but merely refers to Jayā, Vijayā, Jayantā and Aparājitā in the Dhvajapratisthāvidhi.
Jayā and Vijayā are said to hold the cāmaras (fly-whisks) on two sides
2. 3.
Nirvāņakalikā, p. 20. Trişaştisalākāpuruşacarita (GOS), Vol. I, p. 192. Acaradinakara, pp. 203 ff.
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