________________
Two Unique Inscribed Jaina Sculptures
SUDHIN DE
The present paper describes two inscribed Jaina images', one of stone (circa 11th century A.D.) found at Pakbira in Purulia district and the other of bronze (circa 16th century A.D.) found at Sagardighi in Murshidabad district. Both these images are on display at the State Archaeological Gallery, West Bengal.
The stone image is that of the sixteenth Tirthankara, Santinatha, standing in kāyotsarga (self-giving) mudrā on a double-petalled lotus, placed on a saptaratha pedestal bordered by two bands in relief. The central projection of the pedestal bears the lāñchana mark, an antelope. The pedestal is embellished by two lions, carved out at the two extremes, the whole body of these two animal figures covering the projected and recessed part of the pedestal. Among the miniature figures from the left to the right, a goat-headed male figure is identified as Naigamesin, who as a guardian deity of children referred in the Jaina and Brahmanical mythology is said to have a position of significance. Besides four sitting female figures in añjali mudrä are represented, three of them in a profile and the fourth one facing the front. At the bottom of the 1 The decipherment and translation of the inscriptions are by Dr. S. C. Mukherjee,
Superintendent, Directorate of Archaeology, West Bengal.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
