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 69

Jaina Iconography
however, can be drawn from the images of the Scythian or Pre-Scythian period as to their origin either of the Digambara or Svetämbara sect. The Svetämbaras, on no ground, would allow their figures to be represented as such. The Mathura Jaina figures can neither be claimed by the Digambaras because we find the attendant Gaṇadharas both male and female in the sculptures are fully draped and decorated with ornaments, a custom which stands in opposition to their doctrine as they never permit any nun an admission into the ascetic order. Therefore, it can safely be concluded that the sectarian distinction relating to nudity or drapery did not, atleast in sculptures, originate as early as the Kushan period.
The Gupta period showed a marked development in the iconographic characteristics of a Jina figure. Not only do we see in such images the particular Lañchanas incorporated but miniature figures of a Yakṣa and Sasana devată invariably included.1 Other marks such as a trilinear umbrella, a drumplayer surmounting it, a pair of clephants on two sides of the umbrella and a Dharmacakra symbol attended by a pair of either bulls or deer form parts of a Jina sculpture.
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All thesc Iconographic marks are prescribed for a Jina image in Jaina books on Pratistha (or installation of images) written about the late Gupta period. Of these marks, the Dharma-cakra symbol seems to be positively of carly growth. We find even in the Kushan Jina images the simple representation of a Dharma-cakra symbol. The addition of a pair of bulls or deer begins with figure of the Gupta period (Epi. ind. Vol. II. p. 210. Sculpture from Kosam) on both sides of the "Wheel of the Law". The bulls may have some mythological connexion with Rṣabhanatha, whose symbol is a bull and who first turned the "Wheel of the Law" or in other words, founded the Jaina religion. A pair of antelopes facing the Dharmacakra, a device
1. "This image of a Jina, richly endowed with the embellishments of) the expanded hoods of a snake and an attendant female divinity, having the name Pārsva"-Fleet, Gupta Inscriptions no. 61. Pl. XXXVIII, p. 258 ff. Cf. Jaina Cave at Badami. Arch: Surv. W. Ind. Vol. I, p. 25. 2. Vasunandi is the author of Pratiṣṭhäsära. He flourished in 536, see Bhandarkar's Report published by the Jaina Svatantra Bhāndāra, Pavapuri.