274 SKETCH OF THE 



character of this form of faith, that it was a departure from established 

 practices, the observance of which was held by the Jain teachers to be 

 matter of indifference, and which none of any credit would consent to 

 regulate: the laity were, therefore, left to their former priesthood, as far 

 as outward ceremonies were concerned. 



The objects of worship are properly only the Tirthankaras, but the 

 Jains do not deny the existence of the Hindu gods, and admit such of 

 them as they have chosen to connect with the adventures of their saints, 

 according to a classification of their own, to a share in the worship offered 

 to their human superiors. 



According to the Mythology which they have adopted and modified, 

 the Jains reckon four classes of divine beings, whom they name Bhuvana- 

 patis, Vyantaras, Jyotishkas, and Vaimdnikas : the first comprises ten 

 orders : the progeny of the Asuras, Serpents, Garura, Dikpalas, Fire, Air, 

 the Ocean, Thunder and Lightning,— who are supposed to reside in the 

 several hells or regions below the Earth. The second has eight orders, 

 the Pisdchas, Bhiitas, Kinnaras, Gaudherbas, and other monstrous or 

 terrestrial divinities, inhabiting mountains, woods, and forests, as well as 

 the lower regions, or air. The third has five orders — the Sun, Moon, Planets, 

 Asterisms, and other heavenly bodies. The fourth, includes the Gods of 

 present and past Kalpas. Of the first kind are those born in the Heavens, 

 Saudherma, Isdna, Mdhendra, Brahma, Sanatkumdra, Snkra, and others to 

 the number of twelve, or in the Kalpas, when Sudherma and the rest were 

 severally presiding Deities. The last class reside in two divisions of five 

 and of nine heavens — the five termed Vijaya, Vaijayanti, &c. ; the second 

 termed Anuttara, because there are none beyond them, as they crown 

 the triple construction of the universe. In the sovereignty of the hosts 

 of heaven, a great number of Indras are recognised, but of these two are 



