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Ambikā in Painting
Ambikā also appears in paintings from about 12th century A.D. onwards. Ambikā in all the examples is shown as seated in lalita-pose with her one leg dangling down and other being folded. Her slim body is beautifully modelled in paintings with unusually narrow waist, and sharp and long eyes and nose. Her serene appearance, beautifully done coiffure with small curls hanging on cheeks, prominent breasts, somewhat oblong halo, and above all, highly ornate dhoti, bodice and hovering scarf are also commonly noticed in all the paintings. She is bedecked in ornate golden mukuta, long necklaces, bracelets and anklets. Her dhoti is decorated with rosettes, cross and other designs. The colour scheme in the paintings is mostly sharp but soothing.
One of the paintings in the collection of U.P. Shah shows the Tantric form of the eight-armed Ambikā. The figure, concurring with the Tantric dhyana-mantra of the Digambara tradition referred to by U.P. Shah, shows her with corn, trident, bow and the abhayamudră in right hands while the left ones show goad, lotus, arrow and amra-lumbi. The presence of lion mount makes her identification with Ambikā doubtless.
Motichandra has published two paintings of Ambikā from western India.? Of these, the first is in the collection of Upādhyāyaji Sri Viravijayji Sastrasamgraha, Chhani (Vadodara Cat. No. 1155). The palm-leaf manuscript painting (folio No. 227; size 2"x2/8"), dated A.D. 1161 (V.S. 1218), shows the two-armed Ambikā as seated on
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