Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

SR No.: 006774
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 726
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 51 MB

Page 341

temple on one hand, and the pitha, jangha, and doorways of the devakulikäs on the other. Of the sixteen Mahavidyas, the figures of only Rohini, Vajraśnikhalä. Vajränkuśā, Apraticakra, Kāli, Mahākāli, Gauri, Vairotyä, Acchuptă and Mahāmānasī are represented on the main temple, while the devakulika figures include Prajñapti, Naradattā, Gāndhārī and Manasī in addition to the aforementioned. However, the figures of Sarvästramahājvālā and Manavī are conspicuous by their absence. The beautiful independent figures of Apraticakra, Vairotya, Acchuptă and Mahämänasī like Mahavidyas are found in the ceilings of Vimalavasahi (Pls. 205-206) and Kumbharia temples.
The individual iconographic features of each of the sixteen Mahavidyas, according to Svetambara and Digambara Jaina texts, are enunciated hereunder which were more or less followed in visual renderings at different Śvetambara Jaina sites.
(1) Rohini
(A) Śvetämbara
Vidyadevis
four-armed, Mount-Cow, holds arrow, rosary, bow, conch. (B) Digambara four-armed, Mount - Lotus, carries kalasa, conch, lotus, fruit (or mätulinga)
(2) Prajñapti
(A) Śvetambara - four-armed, Mount - Peacock, shows varada, spear, fruit, spear. (B) Digambara four-armed, Mount - Horse, bears disc, sword, conch, varada. (3) Vajraśṛnkhalā
(A) Śvetambara four-armed, Mount - Lotus, bears chain in one or two hands, varada, lotus.
(B) Digambara four-armed, Mount - Lotus or Elephant, bears chain in one or two hands, conch, lotus, fruit (or even thunderbolt).
(4) Vajränkuśā
(A) Śvetämbara - four-armed, Mount-Elephant, bears thunderbolt, goad, varada, fruit.
(B) Digambara four-armed. It merely refers to ankuśa symbol. Mount-Puspayana, holds goad, thunderbolt, lotus, fruit.
(5) Apraticakra or Jāmbūnadā
(A) Śvetämbara - four-armed Mount - Eagle, holds disc in each of her hands. (B) Digambara-four-armed, Mount - Peacock, carries sword, spear, lotus, fruit.
(6) Naradatta or Puruṣadattā
(A) Śvetambara - four-armed, Mount - Buffalo, holds swords, shield, varada, fruit. (B) Digambara-four-armed, Mount - Cakravaka (ruddy goose), holds thunderbolt, lotus, conch, fruit
(7) Kāli or Kālikā
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(A) Śvetambara four-armed, Mount - Lotus, shows club, rosary, thunderbolt (or trident), abhaya
(B) Digambara four-armed, Mount - Deer, holds pestle, sword, lotus, fruit.
(8) Mahākāli
(A) Śvetambara four-armed, Mount - Man, holds thunderbolt, fruit, bell, rosary. (B) Digambara four-armed, Mount - Sarabha (fabulous animal), holds bow, sword, fruit, arrow,
(9) Gauri
(A) Śvetambara - four-armed, Mount - Goḍhā (Alligator) or Bull, shows varada, pestle (or staff), rosary, lotus.
(B) Digambara-All texts unanimously envisage lotus in hands and alligator as vahana. (10) Gāndhāri
(A) Śvetambara four-armed, Mount - Lotus, holds thunderbolt (or trident), pestle (or staff), varada, abhaya.
(B) Digambara - four-armed, Mount - Tortoise, holds sword, disc.
(11) Sarvästra-Mahājvālā or Jvālāmālini According to Hemacandra, she is so called