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JULY, 1971
1133
Now, the image has been labelled in the Museum as the representation of the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira which seems to me implausible on two grounds. Firstly, it does not show the cognizance of Mahavira, which is a lion, and secondly, Ambika is usually depicted with the 22nd Tirthankara Neminatha1. On the other hand Mr. Niraj Jain has sugested this to be the representation of Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthanara. But that also does not stand to reason. First, the usual symbol Parsvanatha, the canopy of a seven hooded cobra shown over his ad is absent here. Secondly the representation of the Yakşa and the kşini does not conform with the attributes of Dharanendra and dmavati, the Yakşa and the Yakşini of Parsvanatha. Hence we can fely identify the image with that of Neminatha as Ambika is associated th him in Jaina literature as well as in Jaina sculptures coming from all er India. It may also be pointed out that whenever Ambika is sculpred with a Tirthankara other than Neminatha, his usual lanchana is also rved on the pedestal. The reason why the cognizance of the Tirthanra is absent here is the confidence of the artist that the representation Ambika only will be enough to help in the recognition of the Tirthanra Neminatha.
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Shah, U. P., Iconography of the Jaina goddess Ambika, Journal of University Bombay, Vol. IX (N.S.) 1940-41.
Jain Niraj, Jaina Images from Rajghat, Anekanta, Apr-Jun, 1966.
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