Article: Sūri-mantra-paṭa

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Sūri-mantra-paṭa

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents this colourful sūri-mantra-paṭa dating to the second half of the 17th century. Click on the picture to view the image in more detail.

Sūri-mantra-paṭas are yantras used only by Śvetāmbara Mūrti-pūjak monks, especially the Kharatara-gaccha and the Tapā-gaccha, when they reach the rank of sūri. Typically, this example depicts Indrabhūti Gautama, the first disciple of Mahāvīra, in the centre.

http://vmfa.museum/collections/art/ganadharavalaya-yantra/

King of mantras

An image of a contemporary Br̥had Sūrimantra Paṭa on Flickr. This maṇḍala is used in rituals of worship, specifically by the highest-ranking monks in the various Śvetāmbara Mūrti-pūjak orders. This example is mainly made up of colourful illustrations, with auspicious symbols, mantras and figures surrounding Indrabhūti Gautama, in the centre. As the lead disciple of Mahāvīra, Gautama is the role model of the perfect ascetic leader.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/herenow4u/8178185138/

Gold sūri-mantra-paṭa

This striking gold-and-black sūri-mantra-paṭa presents Indrabhūti Gautama in the middle. He sits within two triangles positioned within concentric circles, surrounded by holy figures and scenes of worship. Gautauma was the head disciple of the 24th Jina, Mahāvīra, and his spirituality and leadership provide an example to which monks aspire. Such yantras are used by leaders of Śvetāmbara Mūrti-pūjak mendicant orders, with the Kharatara-gaccha in particular ascribing great powers to these ritual objects.

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/71/16/f77116fcefae48ee6c309862fc18a736.jpg

Contemporary sūri-mantra-paṭa

An ornate sūri-mantra-paṭa on the Flickr website. A large golden figure of Indrabhūti Gautama, head disciple of Mahāvīra, takes the lotus position in the centre, flanked by worshippers. Rows of deities and worshippers honour him while sacred syllables and the 24 Jinas form rings around him.

This sacred object is used for ritual and meditation by Śvetāmbara Mūrti-pūjak monks, primarily those from the Kharatara-gaccha and Tapā-gaccha. Only top-ranking monks can use it, aiming to imitate Gautama and to harness the power of the maṇḍala.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/herenow4u/8178189316/

Modern sūri-mantra-paṭa

A circular sūri-mantra-paṭa on the HereNow4U website. This modern paṭa on a tomato-red background has at its centre an image of Indrabhūti Gautama, head disciple of Mahāvīra, who is being worshipped by lay men. The 24 Jinas and other holy figures sit in concentric circles, separated by a ring of mantras. A pair of auspicious eyes, the hrīṃ mantra and the sun and moon sit above the paṭa.

http://www.herenow4u.net/index.php?id=72972