Jaina Iconography

SR No.: 011018
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B Bhattacharya
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 247
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 127

Taksinis
91
The attributes such as citrus, goad and, noose held by Mahākāli arc symbolic of her Yakṣa character. Her other aspect represented by Puruşadatta makes her half like a Vidyadevi and half like a Yaksini. Puruşadatta as Vidyadevi is described as riding a cuckoo and holding a l'ajra and lotus. In this case, her symbols of an elephant (Gajendragā), Fajra and citrus are those by which we recognise her as a Yakṣiņi.
Acyulā or Syāmā, Manovegā.
The Yakşini of Padmaprabha is known to the Svetāmbaras as Acyuta or Syama and to the Digambaras as Manovega. The Svetambara image is canonically represented as riding a man and holding, in her four hands, Varada, Vina, bow and Abhaya.1 The Digambara Yakṣiņi Manovega has a horse as her vehicle, and holds a sword, lance, fruit, and Vara Mudra.
The name Acyuta or Syama may have, most probably, originated from Acyuta or Visnu or Syama. Her Viņā symbol would qualify her as a Vidyadevi, almost a derivative of Acyută who like the Digambara Manovega, rides a horse and holds a sword, arrow etc. Her vehicle of a man, undoubtedly, makes up her character as a Yakṣini as Yakṣa is proverbially a manrider or Nara-Vahana. Manovega or 'swift as mind' is aptly symbolised by the vehicle of a horse known for its swiftness.
Santā or Kāli.
The Svetambara books describe Santa as riding an clephant and her hands as furnished with Farada, rosary, lance,
1.
अच्युतादेवीं श्यामवर्णां नरवाहनां चतुर्भुजां वरवीणाचितदक्षिणकरां कार्मुकाभययुतवामहस्ताम् ।
Nirvana-kalika (MSS. Juana-mandir). Cr. श्यामा चतुर्भुजधरा नरवाहनस्था पाशं तथा च वरदं करयोर्दधाना । वामान्ययोस्तदनु सुन्दरबीजपूरं तीक्ष्णाङ्कुशं च परयोः... .. . अच्युता ॥ Acāradinakara MSS. Rāmaghāta Collection.
2. तुरङ्गवाहना देवी मनोवेगा चतुर्भुजा ।
Pratisthāsarasamgraha.
Also, मनोवेगा सफलका फलखङ्गवरार्च्यते ।
Mandira pratisthā-Vidhāna (MSS. Jaina-siddhanta library, Arrah)