Jaina Monuments Of Orissa

SR No.: 022826
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: R P Mohapatra
Publisher: D K Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 384
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 116

Jaina Monuments of Orissa
and invisible Gandharvas playing cymbals and drum in their palms. Face of the Tirthankara and heads of the two chauri bearers are partially disfigured. The vacant space below pedestal is filled with lotus stalks. The image, no doubt was collected from a different place like that of the inscribed Buddhist figure found near it. Provision of vehicle to the chauri bearer is a rare phenomenon of Orissan sculptures of the Jaina pantheon.
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A number of Jaina images are found at various places in the Prachi Valley. Images of Jaina Tirthankaras are found at Adasapur where Jainism appears to have flourished side by side with Saivism. A beautiful image of Rṣabha (Fig. 81), artistically chiselled out of black chlorite schist, has been preserved in the Svapneśvar temple of this village. This image 0.48mx0.12mx0.12m in size, depicts Rsabhanatha as mulanayaka, he being surrounded by twenty-three Tirthankaras, twelve on the left and eleven on the right of him standing in kayotsarga pose. The representation of Rsabhanatha as mulanayka indicates that Adinatha was the temple cult of this place and that a temple sanctified by his presence was situated in the locality. Unfortunately no Jaina temples can be traced at present at Adasapur. Its distinctive lañchana, the bull is depicted in the middle of the lotus pedestal supported by spirited lions. Two female devotees in anjali hasta are seen on both sides of the bull. Just above the lion throne have been placed three lotus pedestals in the middle, one of which, the figure of Adinatha stands in kayotsarga pose with solemn and sublime grandeurs. Although he is perfectly naked, his hairs on the head are arranged in jafa set with jewels. A few strands of the jafa fall on the shoulders. The lotus petalled aura (prabhamandala) round his head lends divine dignity to the expression of his face which with half closed eyes shows absorption in meditation. The trilinear umbrella is seen above his head and Nyagrodha the kevala tree, stretches its branches studded with leaves on the umbrella. On the two other lotus pedestals on the throne are standing Bharata and Bahuvali with fly-whisks in the hands, busy in rendering services to the Tirthankara. Divine musicians remaining invisible in the sky are playing with cymbals and drum. Gandharvas with garlands in hands, are also hovering in the sky. The eliptical halo, umbrella, and the genital organ of the Tirthankara are partially damaged.
Another Tirthankara image of the size of 0.42mx0.20m is kept inside the dilapidated sanctum of the Nilakantheśvara Siva temple, located behind the High School at Adasapur. Unfortunately this image is badly damaged and as the lañchana is not at all visible in the pedestal it is difficult to identify it with any Tirthankara of the Jaina pantheon. Of the two chauri bearers, the one to the right is missing along with the damaged pedestal and devotees. On both sides of it eight planets have been depic ted in meditative posture seated on lotus pedestals but the Tirthankara found standing in kayotsarga pose and in complete nudity.
An umbrella has been depicted just above his head with curled locks of hairs, while a makara torana as decorative design is visible at the back. The halo behind head is stylised in three bands of scroll work and is oblong in shape. Divine musicians remaining invisible are noticed at the top of the slab on both sides playing with cymbals. Flying Gandharavas with garlands in hands appear on either corners of the slab,