Ambika on Jaina Art and Literature

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

Page 38

The concept and the earlier form of Ambikā show no imprint of Brahminic Ambikā or Durgā; instead it was based on the early worship of the Mother goddess. It was only during the 11th-12th century A.D. when she came to be worshipped in different Tantric rites with terrible forms. Gradually she acquired different appellations and attributes which undoubtedly were related with Brahminic Ambikā or Durgā. Contrary to other Jaina Yakṣi we do not find much variety in her iconographic forms although she enjoyed the position of the most favoured Yaksi of the Jaina pantheon in all the Jaina sects all over the country.
24 Ambikā