The Five Elements

Adinath Temple, Ranakpur

This odd figure, which combines four animal bodies and one human body, represents the "five elements" (earth, water, air, fire, and soul). Soul, being the only conscious element, is the only one represented as a human body, and the only one with a head. However, in Jain philosophy even inanimate particles of matter have souls, so the other four bodies symbolically "borrow" the head (consciousness) that comes from the soul within them.

The purpose of life, according to Jain religion, is for souls to shed their material bodies so that they can become free and pure again.

The idea of the five elements is not so strange as it may first appear. Even today, it is commonly believed that people have souls; in the past, it was felt that other things might have them too. Today we also say that inanimate matter comes in one of three forms - solid, liquid, or gas; the Jains just had one more, namely fire, in their list.