Two Rare Icons of Parshwa Yaksha

SR No.: 269126
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balaji Ganorkar
Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan
Total Pages: 3
Language: English
Classification: Article & 0_not_categorized
File Size: 90 KB

Page 1

The Two Rare Icons of Parshva Yaksha
-Dr. Balaji Ganorkar* Two images of clephant faced Gods are found in the niches of Shakti Kunda at Akhaj village located at 15 km south-east to Mahesana district headquarter and 4 km northeast to Ambaliasan Railway station on meter gauge line of Western Railway running from Ahmedabad to Delhi.
The first image is studded in a niche located at first landing in south direction of the said Kunda!. Here the four armed elephant faced deity is standing in tribhanga posture. The trunk of this deity is leflwards and in a situation indicating that he is drinking some liquid, which is carried by his front hand in a beautiful bhrungaraka (i.e. vessel). The right front hand is mutilated from the elbow, while the back right hand holds a three hooded sarpu (i.e. cobra) and the left hand carries an akusu (j.e. goad). The deity is canopied by five hooded cobra. He bears cap type metallic head dress and other usual ornaments. It is noteworthy that both teeth are present here and body is simple and slimn. A snake is seated beside the left of the deity.
The same type of image with some variations is found sludded in a niche located on the first landing in northern direction. It is also clephant faced and four armed. The canopy of five hooded cobra and a snake beside the left leg as well as the ornaments are common. Standing poşture is dvibhanga and the trunk of this deity is making coil on the right side. The back right hand liolds three hooded cobra and the left holds a scripture, while the front right and left hands are bearing an unkusha (goad) and a small bhrunguruka (ves
*Associate Director, A.K.G.M., Kuba, Gandhinagar 382 009