5. The Triloka of Jain Cosmo-Geography
The Jain Triloka of Jain Cosmo-geography is depicted as of the shape of a palm tree in an Indus seal as written in the Dhavala and the Gyanarnava Jain scriptures The same symbol appears in the Indus seal shown above followed by a seal of the Jain concept of the Universe as “Talarukha Santhano.”
The other features are:
a lion (the animal world);
a tree (the vegetable world);
two celestials with wings holding a banana tree or sugarcane shaft in their hands
an ascetic with raised arms, protected by the celestial beings.
Another, similar, seal is partly damaged by a streak often mistaken by scholars. In both seals The ascetic under penance is guarded by two celestial beings holding a sugarcane stalk or a banana tree in their hands.
- The infernal beings are not shown on this seal.
Next issue: 6. Prakrit