Ambika on Jaina Art and Literature

Author(s): Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 36

Khajurāho, datable to c. 11th century A.D. (Archaeological Museum, Khajurāho, Acc. No. 1608) Ambikā, like the Jinas, is joined by the figures of Yaksa and Yaksi. A nonpareil image of Ambika from Patian-dāi, (Satna, M.P.), assignable to c. 11th century A.D. (Allahabad Museum, Acc. No. 293), contains the figures of the remaining twentythree Yakşīs alongwith their names inscribed below their figures in the parikara which perhaps suggest that she is represented here as the head of the group of the twentyfour Yakşīs.
In addition to the usual amra-lumbi and son, the attributes like goad, noose, mirror, manuscript-cum-lotus, vajra-ghantā, sword and disc were also incorporated in the iconography of Ambikā. The rendering of goad and noose, however, finds textual support right from c. early 10th century A.D. onwards in north India, 20 while reference to sword and disc are found only in south Indian works. Although a number of forms of Devi such as the Tripura-Bhairavi and others show goad and noose in their hands21, their affinity with Jaina Ambikā merely on the strength of goad and noose is not plausible. Moreover, these attributes were most commonly shown with a number of deities, both of Brahminical and Jaina pantheons. The inclusion of goad, noose, sword and disc was intended probably to suggest the power of Yakşi Ambikā who has constant vigil and control over evil spirits such as the grahas, bhūtas, rogas, raksasas and piśācas. According to the Hari-vamsa-purāna, as a Sasanadevată, she was supposed to protect the sangha (church) and the interests of her worshippers.22
While earlier concept of Jaina Ambikā seemingly was rooted in the Bahu-putrikā Yakşi, we are encountered with a few stray literary references and also the concrete manifestations of the later period wherein Ambikā is shown with definite bearing of and hence nexus with Brahminic goddess Durgā or Ambikā. In one such image of Ambikā, from Mathurā (c. 9th century A.D., Government Museum, Mathurā, Acc. No. D7), the two-armed Yakşi is joined by Ganesa and Vaisravana respectively on right and left flanks. The rendering of eight female figures on the pedestal perhaps suggests the presence of Asta-mātkās. The presence of Ganesa and Mātrkās (?) with Ambikā may well be linked with the Brahminic Ambikā. It is mentioned in the Devi-mähätmya (c. eighth century A.D. and later) that Ambikä in one of her forms as Candika was assisted by Sapta-mātrkās in the battle against the demon Raktabīja 23
In some of the Jaina hymns of Ambikā (given in the appendices
22 Ambikā