South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c12.s2.67

c12.s2.67

may simply note what the Hindu *Silpa-Sāstras* say about them. The general description of Jaina images, as supplied by these works, is that they must have long arms so as to reach the knees, the mark of *Srivatsa* on the breast (which was found to be peculiar to Vishnu), a calm countenance, broad forehead, head covered with starry rings of hair, hanging earlobes, high nose, delicate limbs and a naked body which looks young and beautiful. Figures of Arhantadēva (i.e., a Jaina Saint) may be made movable or immovable, standing or seated. The material used must be the white, red, yellow, or black stone, crystal or metal. Whether standing or seated the images must have a straight back and in the latter case, the *padmāsana* or the *siddhāsana* posture with the hands crossed over the lap palm in palm, the right being below and the left above. The pedestal of Jaina Saints is always a *simhāsana*, "lion-seat," surmounted by a "crocodile-aureola" (*makara-tōrana*) fixed at the back of the image. Over the aureola are depicted the *kalpa*-tree, the Indras and Dēvas, the demi-gods of Jaina mythology. Sometimes there may also be sages (like Nārada) attending upon the Jina and Yakshas, Yakshis, Vidyādharas, Chakravartins, Nāgēndras and Dikpālakas holding *chauris*, on either side of him. Images used by the Jainas in daily worship at home or in Mathas include the *Panchaparamēshthins* who wear neither clothes nor jewels. At the entrance into the shrines of Jina are placed the gatekeepers Chanda and Mahā-Chanda, as in Hindu temples. Jainas are divided into two main divisions, the Svētāmbaras and the Digambaras. The former are not found in the south while the latter have their important seats at Sravana-Belgola in the Mysore State, Mūdbidri, Kārkal and Yēnūr in South Canara, Tirumalai near Pōlūr in North Arcot, Sittāmūr in South Arcot and various other places. A descriptive account of the images of Digambara Jainas with illustrative plates has been given by Dr. Burgess in his article entitled "Digambara Jaina Iconography" in *Indian Antiquary*, Vol. XXXII, pp. 45 ff. It shows that the gods and goddesses of the Jainas are as numerous and as richly conceived as those of the Hindu Pantheon, and have their prescribed weapons, jewellery, vehicles and symbols.