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 257

Jaina Iconography of Orissa
235
near the top. At the crown of the halo is the robeless Neminātha in the yogamudrā, Above Neminātha is a chhairāvali of three gradually diminishing umbrellas capped by a conical finial.
All these figures are heavily decked in ornaments like girdle, necklace, anklets, bangles, armlets, sacred thread and head ornaments in addition to the under garment and scarf.
Dr. Mitra 49 further observes "The name Ambikā and the mount lion are clear indications of her borrowal by the Jainas from the Brahmanical pantheon. Her holding of a child also points to the conception of the Mātrikās. At the same time, the figures of Hāriti, the yakși of Rajgrha converted by Buddha, have a close iconographical resemblance with the icons of Amra. The Jaina conception of this divinity, is thus an amalgam of different ideas. Among the Sasanadevis she was particularly popular in eastern India as may be assessed from the comparatively large number of her images found in this region. She came to be venerated as an independent Goddess, as in some of her images, the figure of Neminātha is conspicuous by its absence. In her images we generally find a small child in her lap and another but somewhat grown up child by her side, and a bunch of mangoes usually in her right hand while above or near her sides are represented branches laden with mangoes. Her popularity was, no doubt due to her symbolising fertility as people resorted to her for having children".
The Digambara version of this image of the Sāsanadevi is described as riding up on a lion and bearing two hands with a bunch of mangoes and a child. 50
23. Padmāvati
Figures of Padmāvati, ths Sasanadevi of Pärsvanātha are traceable in the Navamuni-Gumphā (Fig. 35) and Bārabhuji-Gumphā of Khandagiri hill and at Nandapur in Koraput district. All the images are carved seated in lalitāsana pose on double petalled lotus below which in case of Navamuni-Gumphā, a lotus and Nandapur an elephant are depicted as mark of cognizance. The symbol with the figure in BārabhujiGumphā is not traceable. A canopy of five hooded snake appears over head of the figures of Bārabhuji-Gumphā and Nandapur. A votive figure of Pārsvanātha flanked by chauri-bearers and flying figures with garlands and having canopy of a seven hooded snake is found depicted on the top of Padmăvati figure of Nandapur. The third-eye on the forehead is noticed with the figure of Navamuni-Gumphā only.
The two hands of this image in Navamuni-Gumphā are shown with abhaya mudra in the right and lotus in the left. The four armed figure of Nandapur represents a twig, varada mudra and parasu in three hands the fourth being damaged. The eight armed figure of Bārabhuji-Gumphä on the other hand displays varada mudra, arrow,
49. Ioid, p. 44. 50. B.C. Bhattacharya, The Jaina Iconography, p. 143,