પરિચયAbout
Eight sacred symbols, auspicious since ancient times and depicted in the Kalpasutra. According to the scriptures, they are drawn with pure, unbroken rice grains (akshat) before the image of the Tirthankar. Many now draw just a swastik with three heaps of rice above it, for gyan (knowledge), darshan (vision) and charitra (conduct).
સ્વસ્તિકSwastik
Its four arms stand for the four gatis (destinies): human beings, heavenly beings, hellish beings, and animals and other living creatures (tiryanch). The word comes from su, good, and asti, it is; it stands for well-being, prosperity, progress and success.
શ્રીવત્સShrivatsa
A beautiful mark on the chest of the Jina, appearing as a raised tuft of soft hair over the heart.
નંદ્યાવર્તNandyavart
A large swastik with nine corners, standing for the nine kinds of wealth and treasure: material, mental, physical and spiritual.
વર્ધમાનકVardhamanak
Also called sharav: a shallow earthen dish like those used for lamps. With one dish turned upside down over another it looks like a box. It stands for the growth of wealth, fame and merit (punya) by the grace of the Jina.
ભદ્રાસન (સિંહાસન)Bhadrasan (Sinhasan)
The throne. It is auspicious because it is made holy by the feet of the Jina.
કળશKalash
A holy pitcher of copper, silver or steel, filled with pure water for wisdom and abundance. It is used in puja at the derasar and in ceremonies at home, such as entering a new house, to invite grace and happiness.
મીનયુગલMinyugal
A pair of fish: the banners of Kamdev (Cupid), who, defeated by the Jina, comes to worship him.
દર્પણDarpan
The mirror. In its clarity, one sees one's true self.
સારાંશIn short
Together the eight symbols stand for prosperity, beauty, wealth, grace and self-reflection.