Jain Journal 1981 04

SR No.: 520062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1981
Total Pages: 79
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 51

APRIL, 1981
Bahubali with the śrivatsa mark in the centre of the chest is endowed with vines clinging round his legs and arms. On his belly is carved a creeping snake with its top shown close to the śrivatsa symbol; and two snakes and two scorpions are also creeping on his legs. On each flank of Bahubali stands a vidyadhari, wearing mukuta, necklaces, scarf, dhoti tied with a girdle, and holding the end of the climbing plant in the inner hand, while the outer hand is resting on the thigh. Above the vidyadhara figures on each side there appears a diminutive figure of a standing Jina. Over each shoulder of Bahubali is again sculptured a tiny figure of a seated Jina. The hair of Bahubali with three lateral strands hanging over each shoulder is disposed in spirals with a protuberance designed like lotus petals. The halo is composed of lotus petals with beaded border. Over his head is carved a chatra-trayi surmounted by a figure (lower part of body not shown) beating a drum and two drooping leaves delineated on the sides. A couple of flying figures, the male carrying a vase and the female a flywhisk, is carved at each top side. Further above again appears a single poised figure with a garland on each top edge, the one to the left being damaged now.
The author holds a firm view that during the early mediaeval period and onwards there was a tendency in the Digambara Jainas to raise Bahubali's status to be equal to that of the Jinas, as can be seen in many an example of that period all over Northern India as already discussed in the article. The above evidence of the depiction of Bahubali with two Jinas in the Temple No. 2, and, especially, with the yakşa-yak şi figures in the Temple No. 11 at Deogarh, also comprising almost all the other features of the Jina images, illustrates the point all the more effectively.
from East and West/New Series vol. 23 nos. 3-4/pp. 347-353 Courtesy East and West
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