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 22

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any of the 24 Tirtharkaras) should be shown nude, young and beautiful in appearance, with a tranquil expression and arms reaching down to the knees; his breast should have the (auspicious) Srivatsa mark."l The Manasāra states that the distinguishing features of a Jina icon are nudity, Srivatsa symbol, long hanging arms, the meditative pose, etc. :
द्विभुजं च द्विनेत्र च मुण्डतारं च शीर्षकम् । ऋजुस्थानकसंयुक्त तथा चासनमेव च । समाध्रि ऋज्वाकारं स्याल्लम्बहस्तद्वयं तथा । आसनं च द्विपादौ च पद्मासनं तु संयुतम् । ऋजुके च ऋजुभावं योग तत्परमात्मकम् । निराभरणसर्वाङ्ग निर्वस्त्राङ्ग मनोहरम् ।
सर्ववक्षःस्थले हेमवर्ण श्रीवत्सलांछनम् ।।
The Pratisthāsāroddhāra mentions that a Tirthařkara should have a calm and screne face:
शान्तप्रसन्नमध्यस्थनासाग्रस्थाविकारदृक् । संपूर्णभावारूढानुविद्धाङ्ग लक्षणान्वितम् ॥
-Pratisthāsāroddhāra, 1, 62. In the Pratis thāpāda, it is stated that a Tirthankara should not be depicted as an old man or as a boy, but as a youth. He should bcar Srivatsa mark on the chest and should not have nails or hair. The image should be made cither of good metal or stone and should display all the virtues of an ascetic or a vairāgi: वृद्धत्वबाल्यरहितांगमुपेतशांति
श्रीवृक्षभूषिहृदयं नखकेशहीनम् । सद्धातुचित्रदृषदां समसूत्रभागं वैराग्यभूपितगुणं तपसि प्रशक्तम् ।।
-Pratisthāpāda, 151-52. The Vivekavilāsa relates that a Tirtharkara having Srivatsa on the chest and ūşnişa on the head should be seated in padmasana pose on a beautiful pedestal shaded by an umbrella :
उपविष्टस्य देवस्योर्ध्वस्य वा प्रतिमा भवेत् । द्विविधापि युवावस्था पर्यङ्कासनगाऽऽदिमा ॥
. 27, n.2; Banerjea, J.N., Development of Hindu Iconography, p. 588.