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 50

JANUARY, 1986
121
goddess is supported by two elephants, while at the top, on each side, as usual, there appears an elephant lustrating the goddess. Gajalaksmi is flanked by two bull-faced figures with folded hands who may be identified with Naigamesi, a god of child-birth in Jaina pantheon. Cakresvari, on the other hand, is joined by four female attendants holding vases and babies. Close to the bull-faced figures, there stand two other female figures holding ghațas. They are followed by the figures of musicians. The fourth outermost square again has half closed gateways and the figures standing in the intervening space. On east, the figures of three elephants and four horses alongwith two other elephants, facing each-other with their upraised trunks being interlocked, are shown. On south, however, 12 figures are carved, some with folded hands and some holding staffs. Two elephants and two horses, with the riders holding vases are carved on the west. Beside the figures on horses, there stands a figure holding a long parasol. At left extremity there stands a figure with a sword. The bearded loyal figure sitting with a sword in its right hand is probably Kamsa instructing a figure, standing in its front with folded hands, for strict vigil as to the birth of Krsna. The figure is followed by a number of warriors holding swords. It may be noted here that the birth of Krsna no where else, even in the Brahminical temples, has been represented in such a detailed manner. The entire composition beautifully exhibits two different moods in the present renderings, one is of gaiety and celebrity on the birth of Krsna while other is of fear and strict vigil."
The side of the beam on east shows scenes from the childhood of Krsna in Gokula. (Fig.6) In the centre there sits a female figure, undoubtedly Yasoda, with two infants, Krsna and Balarama, sitting in her lap.24 There stand two female attendants with camaras on two sides of Yasoda. Close to these figures is carved baby Krsna standing in a cradle, the two ends of which are shown tied to the trees on two sides. The two figures sitting under the cradle may be identified with Nanda and Yasoda or with gopas. Further on left are carved Krsna killing an elephant, Padmottara by name. The elephant with its trunk near the feet of Krsna is shown as kneeling and thus suggesting as if being subdued by Krsna, whose right hand is kept on its neck while the left is raised to make a blow. Close to this, the scene of uprooting of the twin Arjuna tree by. Krsna is carved. Krsna is here shown
24 However, the infant in left lap appears more to be a female baby with pronounced
breasts; thus it may also be identified with the daughter of Yasoda Mahamaya or Chhinnanasa by name.