Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v6.c40.s10.1

v6.c40.s10.1

The Jainas are known as the Digāmbaras and Śvetāmbaras. The former regard, at least theoretically, nudity 'as a sign of holiness, though they are now obliged to part from the outdoor practice of their theory.' The latter are supposed to be 'clad in white.' 'The Jaina religious theories and practices, in many respects, closely resemble those of the Buddhists.'⁴ They have 'no veneration for relics like the Buddhists. The proper objects of their worship are the twenty-four Jinas or *Tīrthaṅkaras*, but, like the Buddhists, they allow the existence of Hindu gods, and have admitted into their sculptures at least such of them as are connected with the tales of their saints, among which are Indra or Śakra, Garuḍa, Sarasvatī, Lakshmī, Asuras, Nāgas, Rākshasas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, etc., forming a pantheon of their own, divided into four classes, namely, Bhavanādhipatis, Vyantaras, Jyotishkas, and Vaimānikas. In architecture both Buddhist and Jain structures are more closely connected with the Hindu ones. The Jain style was ‘essentially Hindu,’ declares Fergusson, ‘and was doubtless largely common to all Hindu sects in Western India, but in its evolution it became modified by Jain taste and requirements.’¹ In fact the requirements alone have differentiated also the Buddhist architecture from the Hindu one. ‘And, the Brāhmaṇas in turn, through the influence of the workmen, gradually accepted most of the stylistic improvements of their rivals. This seems to have been more especially the case in Gujrat and Rajputana, where the Jainas were very numerous and influential, and we might almost with equal propriety designate their style of architecture as a western Hindu style.’¹