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Tirthamkaras
Separate sculptures of Mallinātha are not altogether rare. The examples known to us materially verify the description given above. They particularly shew the emblem on the pedestal and the Sāsana devalūs in the two extreme corners.!
His father was the king of Mithilā in Vanga (Bengal) and belonged to the Iksvāku racc. llis namc was Kumbha and his queen was called Prajāvati.” According to the Svetāmbara sect, Mallinātha was a woman. But the sculpture and the name ending in Nātha (Mascu.) are not in favour of this tradition as they do not shew the Tirtharikara with any feminine signs.
The Jina acquired the name of Malli as his mother longed for fragrant Alalli (a kind of Jasmine) flowers while bearing him in the womb." The emblem of a water-jar cither symbolises the ninth dream of the Jina mother or one of the Asļa-mangalas or eight auspicious things.
Alumiwata
The Jaina texts furnish the emblem of a tortoise which differentiates the image of this Jina from those of all the rest. The Yaksa husband and wife are called Varuņa aud Naradattā (Dig. Bahurūpiņi) respectively. The king who plays the part of his Chouri-bearer is named Ajita. The tree made sacred by being associated with the scene of his Kevala knowledge is Campaka.
Nagpur Museum Fig. B. 18. Thc Jina is flanked by two attendants of roval birth. They scem to hold Choari carh in one hand; vide Catalogue, p. 29. Fig. B. 19. "The proper right and left extremities of the pedestal arc carved with the sisundiderata : kuvera and Dharanapriyā
respectively." Vide Catalogur, p. 3i. ५. अत्र व भारते वङ्गविषये मिथिलाधिपः ।
इक्ष्वाकुर्भूपतिः कुम्भनामा काश्यपगोत्रजः । प्रजावती महादेवी तस्य लक्ष्मीरिवापरा ॥
Ullara P., p. 305. It is worth nothing here that Mithila (modern Darbhangā) is said to be
a part of Bengal (Banga Vişaya). 3. Also graagifchen ufafarrufen: I TYT TIET Frafa Art: सुरभिकुसुममाल्यशयनीयदोहदो देवतया पूरित इति मल्लिः ।
Hemacandra.
| SR No. | 011018 |
| Book Title | Jaina Iconography |
| 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 |