Jain Journal 2005 01

SR No.: 520157
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 18

SATYA RANJAN BANERJEE: A NOTE ON JAINA ICONOGRAPHY
117
9. 10.
two chowries. heavenly bodies".
All these symbols are seen in a complete image of a Tīrthankara. The Yakşa, Yakşiņi or Šāsana-devatās are to be noticed in the lowest corner of the whole image. They are recognised by the presence of a small image of the Tirthankaras either at the head or at the top of the Statue. The distinctive symbolic ornaments on Jain figures are svastikā, darpana, cane-scat, two small fish or flower and a book. The image of a seated Tirthankara may be easily mistaken for that of the Buddha.
Among the twenty-four Tīrthankaras, Rșabha, Nemi and Mahāvīra attained Kaivalya-Jñāna on a lotus throne..while the other Tīrthankaras demised in the Kāyotsarga pose. Most of them are mythical personages, while a few like Ariștanemi, Pārsvanātha and Mahāvīra are historical.
For the materials of a Jaina image, it is generally found that it can be made of maņi, ratna, gold, silver, brass, muktāphala and stone.
The Jain images, made of stone or bronze or octoally, are arranged in a hierarchical order. The chief among them is a mulanāyaku-sometimes Rşabhadeva, sometimes Pārsvanātha, sometimes Supārsva or Mahāvīra, who is surrounded by other Tirthankaras. Two types of images are generally found-either in a relief depicting one, three or twenty-four Tirthankaras, or the twentyfour Tīrthankaras aranged clockwise. A combination of three Tirthankaras (with the chief deity in the centre) is styled 'triTīrthankara’. The portrayal of the twenty-four Tīrthankaras in a single slab is known as 'Caturviņśatika' or 'Cauvisi' or Pratimā sarvatobhadrikā. Besides there are other combinations as well. There may be representations of the twenty-four Tirtharkaras of the past, twenty-four of the future.
5.
cf. Bhattacharya, ibid, pp. 19-20.