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Ambika in Art: Later Phase (9th to 16th centuries A.D.) Bihar, Bengal and Orissa
Bihar and Bengal did not contribute much to the development of Jaina Sāsana-devatās. It appears that their visual representations did not gain much favour in the region. This is why we find very few examples of the images of Ambika, both in stone and metal, from the region. These figures found mainly from Rajgir (Vaishālī) and Aluara (Dhanbad) in Bihar and Nalgora, Bänkurā, Barkolā, Pākbirā (Manbhūm) in Bengal, are datable between c. 10th and 12th centuries A.D. The figures belong exclusively to the Digambara tradition. One of the beautiful stone images of Pāla period belonging to c. 10th century A.D., is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi (Acc. No. 63. 940; Fig. 56). The two-armed Ambika stands in sama-bhanga on a double petalled lotus with a dwarfish figure of her mount lion, carved in relief, below the lotus seat. Ambika, as usual, bears amra-lumbi and a child (nude), standing close to her and holding the finger of Ambikā. To her right there appears her elder son. The goddess, bejewelled in rich ornaments, is joined by the figures of attendants and musician in the parikara with the figure of her Jina Neminatha and foliages of mango tree overhead. The figure is a beautiful example of Pāla art showing slenderness in body and profuse ornamentation.' Another figure of about 12th century A.D. is preserved in the Modern Jaina temple at Rajgir. The two-armed Ambika here sits in lalitasana on lion mount under a
Ambikā 101
