Digambara

Digambara. 1) Among the substances ‘dig’ (direction) and ‘ambaram’ (either) are two substances that could not be perceived. To perceive that one needs special eyes and concentration. So symbolically to have darshan of ‘shiva’ one has to be with the power of eyes. Hence, ‘digambara’ is a symbolic name to ‘shiva’ meaning one who could be perceived within himself/herself. 2) दिशति इति दिग् (दिश अतिसर्जने), अम्ब शब्दे स्वर्थे औणादिकः र-प्रत्ययः। So we get दिग्+अम्बर=दिगम्बरः। Meaning one who teaches through words (sounds/mantras) is called ‘digambara’. 3) दिग् एव अम्बरं यस्य सः=दिगम्बरः। one who has दिग् direction as cloth. Meaning not ‘naked’ but ‘formless’. Suggesting that the ‘formless’ is to be obtained by the ‘jivas’ who have forms. 4) The root दिश् also means त्यागः। Thus, we get the meaning ‘jivas has to renounce their ‘aham’ and to engage themselves in chanting ‘shabda’ (mantra). 5) Digambara is the source of ‘advaitic’ concept. ‘Hallow’ towards which one has to move leaving all belongings i.e. ‘aham’, ‘mama’ etc. Neither ‘I’ is true nor ‘world’ is true, everything has no forms and diffuse in a formless. This ‘advaitic’ concept is symbolized by the word ‘digambara’.

Thus, we can construe many meanings for the word ‘digambara’.

******