Kalasha

Description of Kalasha

In Jainism, the Kalasha is considered an auspicious thing. It appears in the Ashtamangala lists of the Digambara and Svetambara Jain sects. The Kalasha is decorated with two depictions of eyes, which stand for perfect knowledge and correct trust. Religious and social rites both employ it. In Indian art and architecture, the Kalasha is a decorative motif and a ceremonial artifact. Starting in the fifth century, the bases and capitals of pillars were decorated with the Kalasha design. It is usual to carry the Kalasha on one’s head while reciting mantras as one enters a new home. They carry this ritual out to formally welcome grace and joy into the new house. Kalasha is the symbol of Mallinatha, the nineteenth Tirthankara of the present Jain half-time cycle.

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Jain main description

Jainism Symbols

With its roots in India at least 2,500 years ago, Jainism is among the world's oldest religions. The teachings of Jainism are eternal, and as a result, according to its traditions, it has no creator. However, the Jainism of this era may be traced back to Mahavira, a teacher from the sixth century BCE and a contemporary of the Buddha. The attainment of Moksha, or the all-knowing state, is the spiritual goal of Jainism. It involves being freed from the never-ending cycle of reincarnation. This can be accomplished through Ahimsa (nonviolence).  Like Buddhists, Jainists honor saints who have attained total liberation from the bonds of worldly life. The 24 Tirthankaras, who symbolize the apex of the Jains' religious development and emerged as instructors at various points in history, are the most significant of them. The Tirthankaras, along with 12 Chakravartins (world conquerors), nine Vasudevas (counterparts of Vasudeva), and nine Baladevas (counterparts of Balarama, the elder half-brother of Krishna) constitute the 54 Mahapurusas (great souls), to which nine Prativasudevas (enemies of the Vasudevas) were later added. Other, less significant characters with Hindu influences include the nine Naradas (counterparts of the goddess Narada, the intermediary between gods and humans), the eleven Rudras (counterparts of the Vedic god Rudra), and the twenty-four Kamadevas (gods of love). The Bhavanavasis (house gods), Vyantaras (intermediaries), Jyotiskas (luminaries), and Vaimanikas (astral gods) are the other four categories of gods. Here is a list of some significant Jain Symbols with their details.