Arhat Parshva and Dharnendra Nexus

SR No.: 002108
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: M A Dhaky
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 204
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Book_English, Articles, History, Art, E000, & E001
File Size: 8 MB

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Arhat Pārśva and Dharanendra Nexus
Tirtharkaras found at Chārampa. One of these Tirthankara images represent Pārsvanātha in yogāsana.
A feature of the iconography of Pārsvanātha images of Orissa is that the Tirthankara is seldom accompanied by Padmāvatī, his śāsanadevī. At Jāmundā, however, in his seated image, she is present under the lotus seat. Here the goddess is sitting in yogāsana under the canopy of a three-hooded serpent. She has four arms, the attributes of which are indistinct. On the left corner of the pedestal of the standing image of Pārsvanātha in the Khiching Museum, occurs a tiny figure of his sāsanadevi. She sits in yogasana under a five-hooded snake canopy. The attributes in her two hands are indistinct. In Cave No. 7 on the Khandagiri, Padmāvati appears under Pārsvanātha who is in yogasana (Plate 36). Sitting in lalitāsana on a lotus throne, the goddess is endowed with three eyes and two arms. Her right hand is held in varada while the left carries a lotus. Under her lotus seat is also carved a lotus flower. In Cave No. 8 on the same hill, Padmāvati is shown under the seated figure of Pārsvanātha (Plate 37). The goddess here is seated in lalitasana, under the canopy of a five-hooded snake. She has eight arms which, clockwise from the lower right hand, show the mudrā and attributes as follows: varada, arrow, sword, flower (disc), lotus, shield, bow, and lotus. Unlike the Jāmundä example, Pārsvanātha and Padmāvati in the Khandagiri caves are placed in two separate compartments. At Nandapur was found an independent image of Padmavati sitting in lalitāsana on a double-petalled lotus (Plate 39). Over her head were spread five hoods of a snake. Her four arms displayed clockwise from the lower right hand, the following: varada, flower, radish(?) and axe. A miniature figure of Pārsvanātha occurred on the crest of the stele while an elephant was carved on the pedestal.
From the foregoing discussion, it is evident that the images of Pārsvanātha were carved in Orissa in accordance with a set formula, which had remained unchanged. Iconography, therefore, is of very little help in establishing the chronological order of these images. In some instances, Pārsvanātha as well as his attendants are provided with bhāmandala. Such examples are found at Jāmundā, Bhairavsingpur and Pratāpanagarī (Plate 34). On the stele from Puri (Plate 38) haloed Tirthankaras occur on either side of Pārsvanātha. Again, the group of planets when represented on the stele, includes eight planets only. In Orissa, halo seems to have ceased to characterize the divine images from about the tenth century. Similarly, the number of planets was increased to nine with the inclusion of Ketu in their group towards the close of the ninth century. Therefore, the images of Pārsvanātha, associated with these two features, may be assigned to a period before the tenth century. His seated