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NO. IV)
JAINA ART IN SOUTH INDIA
87
(Bombay), which, however, being on paper unlike the palm-leaf described by Coomaraswamy, has full-page coloured paintings of unique artistic value. It is a pity that it is so damaged and worn out that at the slightest touch the paper crumbles to dust. Not the least interesting figure in.it (out of nearly forty) is that of a four-headed Digambara Brahma, standing on a lotus-stool with the Bull of Adinātha below. There is a triple umbrella over his heads, the whole profile being surrounded with a halo of light. On the right is a naked sādhu, standing on a wooden seat; and on the left a crowned royal figure. On the inner surface of the back over: leaf are carelessly scribbled the words: 'saa 9588 að flaturate na rad Name AreaST BIZTIEITTH Antzat ferafe. l' (Sam. 1751, Phalgun 13). But the contrast of this with the artistic script of the text as well as the present condition of the manuscript makes it appear to be much older. Other manuscripts on palm-leaves like Pampā Bhārata in Kanarese script, are not wanting in this treasure-house of Jaina manuscripts. One more example of book-illustration, the only one I have seen of South India, is that from an old illumined manuscript of Nemichandra's Trilokasāra where the great teacher is represented as expounding the doctrines of his religion, and among the auditorium is said to be Chāmundarāya, his famous disciple, who caused the Beļgo!a colossus to be erected.
From this we must now turn to yet another form of Jaina art, namely, that of inscribing on rock or copper-plate, some of which are of not less artistic interest than they are of historical value. The Kudlur plates of Mārasimha Ganga, for example, are both literature, art, and history rolled in one. Particularly noteworthy in it is the seal which is beautifully executed. It is divided transversely into two unequal compartments, the upper enclosing about three fourths of the space, and the lower about one-fourth. The upper division has in the middlea fine elephant in relief, standing to the proper right, surmounted by a parasol with the sun and the crescent at the upper corners. Behind the elephant is a lamp-stand with what 1. For a facsimile of this illustration see, Dravyasamgraha. S.B.J.
I Introd. p. XXXIX (facing).
| SR No. | 529551 |
| Book Title | Jain Siddhant Bhaskar |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Jain Siddhant Bhavan |
| Publisher | Jain Siddhant Bhavan |
| Publication Year | |
| Total Pages | 417 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Classification | Magazine, India_Jain Siddhant Bhaskar, & India |
| File Size | 10 MB |