Jain Journal 2010 07

SR No.: 520279
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 60
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 7 MB

Page 35

Rupendra Kumar Chattopadhyay: Jaina Antiquities
35
6.
variety of cholorite stone encountered in the previous images. In this image the Jina stands in kayotsarga posture on a doublepetalled lotus placed on a pañca-ratha pedestal. The image is quite damaged especially the upper part of the stele portion. A significant part of the stele has been devoted to a not so well carved miniature pidha type temple. The Jina wears a tall jata-mukuta and is provided with an ovoidal siraścakra embellished with rows of beads. The middle of the stele contains the depictions of planetary deities in two vertical rows of two each on either side of the mula-nayaka. The planetary deities are separated from each other by carved pilasters. The back slab also reveals two male cauri-bearers flanking the Jina. These profusely bejewelled cauribearers stand in divanga posture and their left hands are in katyavalambita posture while the right hands hold a fly-whisk. On the centre of the pañca-ratha pedestal below there is a bull, the lanchana of the Jina, placed between two crouching lions.
5. Three images of Pārsvanatha have been found from Satpatta. The largest one measures 100 cm x 50 cm (P1.5) and is made of black basalt. In this sculptural specimen, Parsvanatha, the mula-nayaka, stands in kayotsarga posture on a double-petalled lotus pedestal under a canopy of seven snake hoods. The Jina is flanked on both sides by snake coils. The outline of the snake-hood reminds one of an umbrella and this variety of snakehood has also been depicted in the Parsvanatha icon of Harmasra. In contrast, the snake hood canopy of Parsvanatha images found from the Vishnupur region, has a towering character. The pedestal of the present image is tri-ratha and a Naga couple with their inter-coiled tails springs gracefully almost rhythmically from the centre projection of the pedestal just below the feet of the Jina. This inter-coiled Naga motif has been repeatedly depicted in the
DAS, D.R. 'Parsvanatha Images in Orissa and Bengal', In Dhaky, M.A. (ed) Arhat Parsva and Dharanendra Nexus. Ahmedabad, Delhi, 1997, pp. 95105.