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 174

Jaina Iconography
but not so as to touch the body. All the standing Jina figures are represented in this posture. It is, however, enjoined that the figures of Ajitanatha, Sambhavanatha and Abhinandana should be especially sculptured in the Khadgāsana.
Mudräs
140
Whercas Asanas refer to particular mystic positions of legs, the Mudrās relate to positions of hands as well as feet. In the Jaina pantheon, the Tirthankaras have not many Mudrās in their representations but their attendants, viz., the Yakṣa and Yakṣiņis assume different Mudras in their hands analogous to those, generally met with in the Hindu and Buddhist images. We find mentioned in the Jaina literature quite a number of Mudras with their descriptions, some of which it is not possible to trace in the actual sculptures. Consequently, we would describe below those which we find in actual sculptures and also those which though not seen already are very likely to be found in figures of future discovery.
Jina-Mudra
The position, so called, when the ascetic stands in Kayotsarga keeping the feet at four fingers breadth between the toes and lesser width between the heels.3 Kayotsarga literally means 'letting loose the body'.
तावत्तु तिर्यगायामसंस्थितम् ।
बाहुयुग्मान्तरं देशे ह्रासयेच्चतुरङ्गुलम् ॥ प्रकोष्ठात्कुर्परं यावद् द्व्यङ्गुलं वर्धयेत्सदा । कायोत्सर्गस्थितस्यैतल्लक्षणं भाषितं बुधैः ॥
Vasunandi's Vastusāra & Pratisthāsaṁgraha (MSS. 68 Jnanamandir, Baroda) See for illustration, the fig. 9. Candraprabha, Devagarh Fort.
2.
3. चत्तारि अंगुलाई पुरनो डुणाइजत्य पच्छिमनो ।
पायाणं उस्सग्गो एसा पुण होइ जिणमुद्दा ||
Pañca, 3 Viva.
Cr. चतुरङ्गुलमग्रतः पादयोरन्तरं किञ्चिन्न्यूनं च पृष्ठतः कृत्वा समकायो
त्सर्गेण जिनमुद्रा ।
Acaradinakara.