Jain Journal 1985 10

SR No.: 520080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1985
Total Pages: 45
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 27

58
JAIN JOURNAL
rising creepers winding round his arms and legs. The former figure is attended on the left by a female cămaradharini, while the corresponding female figure holds a kalasa.
Of the remaining four figures, the earliest one was originally lying in the Temple No. 12, but now it has been deposited in the neighbouring Sahu Jain Dharmasala Museum. The image, of about the late 9th century A.D., shows Bahubali as usual standing sky-clad in the kāyotsargamudrā on a tripartite pedestal. Bahubali with śrivatsa mark on the chest and a single parasol overhead has his legs and arms wound about by a climbing plant ; a lizard and a scorpion are also there on his left and right leg respectively. A feature of this image is the representation of a snake clinging to his chest with its tail hanging down the right side over the abdomen. The hair, combed back in jața-fashion, falls on the shoulders in the form of unplaited strands. The slightly oblong halo is carved with a blossom circlet and a band filled with small dots. Bahubali is flanked by two standing female figures of vidyadharis holding the ends of the creeper.
The other three figures, datable to c. 11th-12th century A.D., are significant since they follow a homogeneous formula of the Jina representation, in effect throughout the country during the early mediaeval period and onwards. Of the three images, two are enshrined in the Temple No. 2 and the remaining one in the Temple No. 11. One of the two images (27 X 15 in.) installed in the Temple No. 2, shows Bahubali as standing nude in the kāyotsarga-mudrā on a simhāsana with two devotees sitting at his feet and two camaradharas flanking him. Bahubali is endowed with a triple parasol topped by a prostrate figure beating a drum and two hovering mālādharas. Both the legs of Bahubali are entwined by a climbing plant ; while the hands support two snakes. The figures of lizards, snakes and scorpions are also carved creeping on the legs in the intervening space free from creepers. Bahubali wears the śrivatsa on his chest and has his hair done in curls with a small top-knot. At left of Bahubali, in front of a pilaster, sits a royal figure ; he may represent Bharata Cakravarti.
The other Bahubali image, a unique one, in the same temple is a tritirthika image (26 x 21.3 in.), showing Bahubali standing with two other Jinas, identified, by comparison of cognizances, with Sitalanatha and Abhinandana.18 Each of these three figures stands in the kāyotsargamudra on a simhasana with hanging carpet and dharmacakra. At the feet
1. However, one Jina figure is carved on the other side.