Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs

SR No.: 011025
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P B Desai
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 495
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 90

JAINISM IN SOUTH INDIA
images and shrines in honour of the deities and popularising once again the principles and practices of Jainism.
KALUGUMALAI: Proceeding further south we approach another extremely interesting hill which was a highly picturesque stronghold of the Jains faith. This is Kalugumalai (which means 'a hill of vultures') near the village of the same name situated in the Koilpatti taluk of the Tinnevelly Dt. The steep hill of Kalugumalai has treasured natural caverns with beds and inscriptions in Brahmi alphabet, which show that it was a resort of ascetics and recluses in as ancient a period as the Erd century B. c.1 Coming to the later times it has proved a centre of attraction for the devotee and the artist of both the Brahmanical and the Jaina faiths, who have immortalised their religious fervour by creating out of the hard rock images and temples of superb workmanship in honour of their deities. The idols and shrines of the Brahmanical persuasion are known by the general name Veṭṭuvăn Kōvil, The Jaina sculptures lie at a higher altitude and are carved in relief on the smooth surfaces of the overhanging rock.
THE ROCK-OUT SCULPTURES: These sculptures which number over a hundred in all may be analysed into three groups. 1) The series of figures of small and almost uniform size are arranged in long rows one above the other. These depict the Jinas in general in the sitting postures on what appear like lotus thrones with the triple umbrellas overhead. They possess neither the distinctive emblems nor the attendants. 2) Another group of figures is of Jinas of slightly bigger size carved in separate niches either as a single piece or in groups of two. These also own no other characteristic features excepting the three-fold parasole and the lotus seat. 3) Under the third category would come such individual figures as are furnished with the characteristic details of the deities represented by them and as are depicted in the exuberance of artistic environments. Among these are the portraits of Maha. vira and a few other Tirthakaras, the Yakshinis, Bahubali, etc. These deserve to be studied minutely. But here I confine myself to a brief examination of only two figures of this class, since they afford further illustrations in regard to the prominence given to the Yakshi in the popular phase of the Jaina religion in the Tamil country.
Two YAKSHINIS: At a spot to the left of the three rows of miniature Jinas is a fairly big niche containing the following figures. The stately image of a female deity is standing in the middle adorned with crown and ear ornaments. She has two hands. Her right hand is placed lightly on the head of amale child which should not be mistaken for an attendant. In her left
An. Rep. ou, S. I. Epigraphy, 1907, p. 47.