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A similar instance of misunderstanding and mishandling of the Dik palini-Matrikas can also be detected in a recently reconstructed Siddhambika Temple. Disa (Gujarat). This temple is venerated both by the Jain and non-Jain Dishavals of Gujarat. According to the local tradition current among the devotees of these goddess, ie, the Dishavals, the mother of Shiddhraj Jaisingh had visited this shrine for a boon of a male child and bad stayed there for her confinement. Having got a son, he was given the pet name of Siddharaj after the deity. Siddharaj's original name was Jaisingh. The additional prefix of 'Siddharaj' was added to it in honour of and ingratitude to the deity whose boon was responsible for his birth. The story further adds that Siddharaj Jaisingh was not born in Palanpur but in Disa near Palanpur. Whatever the truth in this popular belief, the fact that the site of this temple is very old one appears to be tolerably certain.
The details of the Dikpalini Matrikas or their substitutes as found to-day on the exterior of this temple are as follows:
S.No.
Name
Pose
Articles
Vehicle
Remarks
No. of hands
Aindri
Dvibhanga
4
Lotus : Lotus Elephant Varad Mudra + Aksamala :
Kamandalu
Portrayed as Lakshmi
Agneyi
Dvibhanga
2
Nil
Garland : Kamandalu (One logus above either shoulder)
Portrayed like Surya Matrika
Yamya
Dvibhanga
Nil
Cock : Lotus Varad Mudra+ Aksamala :
Kalash
Nairrti
Dvibhanga
Mace : Damaru Aksamala : Kamandalu
Dog licking the bottom of Kamandalu as in Bhairav's images it licks drippings from human head
(9)
Varuni
Dvibhanga
Goad : Noose Elephant Crocodile Varad Mudra +Aksamala : misunderstood Jangha Hasta+Kalash
for elephant
Vayavi
Dvibhanga
Banner : Banner Deer Varad Mudra + Aksamala : Kamandalu
Two identical images
Kauberi
Dvibhanga
Elephant on Lotus : Elephant Nil
on Lotus Varad Mudra +Aksamala : Kamandalu
Portrayed as Gajalakshmi; two images
1.
Rasa-Mala 1/1/171.
आचार्यरत्न श्री देशभूषण जी महाराज अभिनन्दन ग्रन्थ
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