________________
elements common to textual descriptions of both traditions, tend to contain slightly more Digambara qualities. My inclination is to choose the earliest date for the Digambara-Svetāmbara division, just after the famine and migration of ca. 360 B.C. E. 23 Taking into account important caturmukha sculpture from Mathurā showing four naked Jinas, it would certainly seem evident that the Digambaras were well established in that city in the Kuşāņa
period. 24
.
E, WODO SERIKALI
Fig. 9.Svetambara Siddhacakra, dated 1865, brass, 5%" high. Private Collection.
The term 'pața' has been translated invariably as 'tablet' when referring to the āyāgapaļas. This is understandable, since the word 'āyāgapata' is actually inscribed on a number of these stone plaques. It should be noted, however, that these stone carvings are unique among archaeological finds in India. Yet, the intricacy of the work and the highly developed iconography point to an established tradition. A somewhat similar story can be found in relation to the great Buddhist monuments at Sāñchi and
31
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org