Jain Journal 2003 04

SR No.: 520150
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 42
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 17

196
JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XXXVII, NO. 4 APRIL 2003
The earliest reference to Ambikā, is obtained in the Vrtti of Jinabhadraganin Kșamāśramaņa on his Višeşāvasyaka-bhāsya. The earliest archaeological evidence also shows that Ambikā does not appear in Jaina worship prior to c. A.D. 550. The earliest known representation of Ambikā, both with the Jina (Rşabhanātha) and in independent image is datable to late sixth century A.D. These figures are procured from Akoțā (Vadodara, Gujarat). One of her early images was obtained from the Meguțī temple (c. A.D. 634) at Aihole (Bijapur, Karnataka, now in Aihole Site Museum). In a unique image of Ambikā from Mathurā (c. 9th century A. D., now in Government Museum, Mathura, Acc. No. D7), the two-armed yakşi is joined by Ganesa and Vaiśravaņa respectively on right and left flanks. The rendering of eight female figures on the pedestal perhaps suggests the presence of Aştamātrkas (?).
After the ninth century A.D., Ambikā enjoyed still greater popularity as is evidenced by the innumerable instances of her rendering in sculpture and painting. It was during the 10th and the 13th centuries A.D. that the iconographic form of Ambikā witnessed several such additions which hint at the elevation of her status, sometimes equalling even to the Jinas, highest in Jaina worship.
In one of the instances from Khajurāho, datable to c. 11th centruy A.D. (Archaeological Museum, Khajurāho, Acc. No. 1608) Ambikā, like the Jinas, is joined by the figures of yakşa and yakṣī, A nonpareil image of Ambikā from Patiāndāī (Satna, M.P.) assignable to c. 11th century A.D. (Allahabad Museum, Acc. No. 293), contains the figures of the remaining twenty-three yakşīs along with their names inscribed below their figures in the parikara which perhaps suggest that Ambikā is represented here as the head of the group of the twenty-four yakşīs.
In two examples reported from Darhat (Hamirpur, U.P.) and datable to c. 13th century A.D., Jaina Ambikā is surprisingly depicted with noose, vajra-ghaṇtā, manuscript-cum-lotus and mirror (?). The forms of these images (in State Museum, Lucknow, Acc. No. G3121 and 66/225), bear close affinity with Brahmanic Sivā who likewise rides a lion and holds a mirror in one of her hands. The noose and the vajra-ghanță are suggestive of the power aspect of Ambikā while