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 55

Rock-cut Jaina Architecture
Cave 7 (Navamunigumphā) - The cave is so called because it has a group of nine (nava) Tirthankara (muni) figures. Originally, it consisted of two cells and a common verandah with two pillars, but subsequently it was converted into a spacious sanctuary by removing the front and interior partition walls, deepening the floor level, and carving the Tirthankara figures. It has four handle-like perforations in the eave-cornice. The cave has five inscriptions one of which, carved on the inner side of the architrave of the verandah, mentions that it was the work (alteration work) of Subhacandra, disciple of Kulacandra of Deśīgana, carried out in the 18th regnal year of Udyotakeśari of the Somavamsi dynasty ruling in Orissa in the 11" century A.D.
On the back wall of the right cell are carved in high relief seven images of seated Tirthankaras(Rşabha, Ajita, Sambhava, Abhinandana, Vāsupujya, Pārsva and Nemi) with their respective cognizances. Below them are the lalitasana figures of their Śāsanadevis (Cakreśvarī, Rohiņi, Prajñapti, Vajraśnkhalā, Gāndhari, Padmavati and Ambika) carved in medium relief with their respective mounts. On the left end of the goddesses is also represented an image of Ganesa. On the right wall are two figures of Rşabha and Parsva, both seated cross- legged on a lotus flanked by cauri-bearers; their bull and snake mounts are also represented. On the left wall is depicted a small seated figure of Candraprabha; below the seat is his moon cognizance. .
Cave 8 (Bārabhujigumphā) - The cave is called Bārabhuji (twelve-armed) from the presence of two such images on the side walls of the verandah. Originally. it consisted of a cell with convex ceiling and three doorways, and a benched verandah with two pillars and two pilasters, but later on it was converted into a long sanctuary by removing the partition wall and by deepening the floor level. Two pillars are also the restored ones, but the brackets of their capitals carved with lotus-and-honeysuckle are original. The verandah has a shelf in the left wall and an eave projecting over
the architrave.
On the three walls of the cell are carved altogether twenty-five figures of Tirthankaras (Pārsvanātha appearing twice) with their respective cognizances and Sāsanadevis - (1) Rşabha (bull, Cakreśvarī), (2) Ajita (elephant, Rohiņi), (3) Sambhava (horse, Prajñapti), (4) Abhinandana (monkey, Vajraśộnkhalā), (5) Sumati (curlew, Puruşadattā), (6) Padmaprabha (lotus, Manovegā), (7) Supārsva (svastika, Kāli), (8) Candraprabha (moon, Jvālāmālini), (9) Suvidhi (alligator, Mahākālī), (10) Sitala (śrīvatsa, Mānavī), (11) Śreyāṁsa (rhinoceros, Gauri), (12) Vāsupujya (buffalo, Gāndhārī), (13) Vimala (boar, Vairoțyā), (14) Ananta (falcon, Anantamati), (15) Dharma (thunderbolt, Mänasi), (16) Santi (deer, Mahāmānasī)(17) Kunthu (goat, Jayā), (18) Ara (nandyävarta, Tara). (19) Malli (pitcher, Aparājita), (20) Munisuvrata (tortoise, Bahurūpiņi), (21) Nami (blue lotus, Cāmunda), (22) Nemi (conch-shell, Ambikä), (23) Pārsva (snake, Padmāvati) and (24) Mahävira (lion, Siddhāyikä). All the Tirthankara figures are seated cross-legged under the trees, have triple umbrella over the heads, and are flanked on either side by a cauri-bearer. Except for Pärsvanātha, each of these figures has a halo round the head. Below them, in separate compartments, are their Śāsanadevis seated in lalitäsna with their respective mounts, but Mahāmānasi is seated cross-legged and Bahurūpiņi is shown lying. The central or 25th figure on the back wall is of Pārsvanātha (the chief lord in the series) represented in kāyotsarga posture with a seven-hooded cobra-canopy. This image is larger in size and is flanked on either side by a seated nāga and a caurī-bearer.
The left wall of the verandah depicts a twelvearmed image of Cakreśvarī seated in lalitāsana on double-petalled lotus with her Garuda mount, and the corresponding right wall has a figure of Rohiņi, also twelve-armed and seated in the same pose, with her bull mount.
Cave 9 (Triśūlagumphā) - It originally consisted
tucation Intermational