In many modern temples slabs for offerings carved on

In many modern temples slabs for offerings, carved on the upper surface with
eight auspicious symbols, are placed so that worshippers can make replicas of auspicious
symbols with rice-grains. However, in every temple a simple offering table is placed in
front of a shrine. On this, devotees arrange:
1. rice grains in the shape of the swastika to symbolise the cycle of transmigration
through four destinies, and nandhyavarta (a complex and elaborate swastika, an
auspicious symbol of ninefold prosperity)
2. a piece of sweet material to symbolise the attainment of a state in which food is not
needed
3. a piece of fruit symbolising the attainment of siddha -hood.
The sthaapanaa , also known as the thavani or sthaapanaacaarya , is a crossed book
rest or stand made of two flat pieces of wood or four ornate small sticks of wood tied
together with thread in the middle and splayed out above and below so as to look like an
hour glass, on which any object of worship (usually a scripture) is placed by an ascetic.
While preaching a sermon the ascetic keeps the sthaapanaa in front of him or her. In
daily rituals such as penitential retreat, the ritual of equanimity or a sermon, laypersons
also keep the sthaapanaacaarya in front of them. It is seen as a representation of the
guru.

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The astamangala : Svetambars believe in eight auspicious symbols:
 the auspicious symbol of the four destinies ( swastika );
 the lotus shaped mark on the chest of the Jina image ( srivatsa );
 the elaborate symbol of nine fold prosperity ( nandhyavarta );
 the ‘prosperity pot’ ( vardhamanaka );
 the throne ( bhadraasana );
 the holy jug ( kalasa );
 the pair of fish ( minayugala );
 the mirror ( darpana ).
The Acaara-Dinkara Grantha (1411: pp.197-198) explains the conception behind
each of these symbols: swastika for the peace, srivatsa for highest knowledge from the
heart of Jina , nandhyavarta for nine forms of treasures, vardhamanaka for the increase in
fame, prosperity and merit, bhadrasana as an auspicious seat sanctified by the feet of
Jina, kalasa is symbolic representation of Jina’s attributes to be distributed in the family,
minayugala as the symbol of Cupid’s banner suggesting that the devotee has conquered
the deity of love, and darpana for seeing one’s true self.
The Digambars recognise eight auspicious symbols: a type of vessel ( bhringaara ), the
holy jug ( kalasa ), the mirror ( darpana ), the flywhisk ( caamara ), the flag ( dhvaja ), the
fan ( vyajana ) the parasol ( chatra ) and the auspicious seats ( supratistha ) (Ghosh A.1975:
P.3.489, 492)
From canonical texts onwards there are innumerable references to these eight
auspicious items, which are held in great reverence by the Jains. Often, in modern
temples, generous patrons donate images or plaques of places of pilgrimage or incidents
in the life of a Jina , in stone, metal, mirror and painted cloth.