Jain Journal 1986 01

SR No.: 520081
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 55
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 48

JANUARY, 1986
119
figure. On the north, the episode of samudramanthana is carved in detail. The scene opens with the churning of ocean by the gods and demons with the help of a rope made of Vasuki nāga and the Mandaracala mountain shown here as a tall pillar.21 Thereafter the fourteen jewels coming out of the churning of ocean have been carved in a row.22 The first of all the jewels is Laksmi, shown as four-armed and seated cross-legged, holding lotuses in two upper hands while her lower two hands are kept in the lap in dhyāna-mudrā. Laksmi is followed by ratnamālā, kalpavrkşa, a bull, a horse, and a hamsa (with lotus stems in its beak). Further ahead are carved two bearded male figures, probably Dhanvantari and Candrama, with a series of nine circles, suggesting navanidhis. On south a few scenes from the life of Krsna have also been carved. This includes Krsna sitting in the lap of his mother, a couple, probably Vasudeva-Devaki, conferring with each other, Krsna killing some demon in disguise by holding its leg, kanduka-krida and the subduing of Kaliya nāga. The reclining figures of nāga and nägi have also been carved in the present instance. On east, a figure, sitting in a palanquin with its one arm being raised, is shown accompanied by three attendants, holding sword and chatra. The figure may be identified with Krsna moving towards Mathura to participate in the wrestling competition. Further ahead are carved the story of Bali and Vamana, wherein the bearded figure of Bali is sitting on an asana with its one hand being raised in conversation with the attendant figures standing on the front. Further ahead, there again appears Bali seated on a coach with the standing figure of Vamana, a vibhava of Visnu. Behind Bali there stands his guru Sukracarya pouring water from the kamandalu in the palms of Bali for samkalpa. However, the open palm of Vamana is beautifully shown close to the hands of Bali as if accepting the samkalpa. Immediately after these figures, Visnu is shown as Trivikrama and putting his leg on the figure of Bali who is lying at his feet. This is suggestive of the culminating point of the story according to which Trivikrama in his two steps measured the earth and sky while in the third Bali himself. Close to the figure of Trivikrama, there stands a female figure who is none else but the wife of Bali. The entire episode of Vamana and Bali is here shown in a very impressive and wholesome manner.
21 manthanam mandaram krtva tatha netram ca vasukim deva mathitumaraydha
samudram nidhimammasam-Mahabharata, Adiparva 18.13. 12 The fourteen ratnas as described in the Adiparva of Mahabharata are Candrama,
Kaustubha mani, Parijata vrksa, Surabhi cow, Laksmi, sura, Uccaisrava asva, Dhanvantari (holding amrta ghata), Mahanaga Airavata, Kalakuta mahavisa etc. (Adiparva 18.34-44).