________________
Lil Can
35
Khajuraho (M.P.), 10th century
(Sarasvati) or the abhaya-mudrā and the water-pot, are indeed very striking. These features are perhaps suggestive of some type of parivara of Ambika (Fig. 35). The present beautiful image is a cult image of Ambika showing her with nicely done ornaments. The two-armed Yaksi sitting on her right shows the abhaya-mudra and mongoose-skin purse (nakulaka) while two-armed Yaksi shows the abhaya-mudra and the water-vessel. The present image with all medieval elements is decorated also with gaja-vyala-makara trio as throne-frame animals.
the
Thus it is apparent that the rendering of four-armed Ambika was very much favoured at Khajuraho. The rendering of either lotuses or a lotus and manuscript-cum-lotus in two upper hands is a clearcut violation of the textual prescriptions which, on the contrary, envisage noose and goad in the upper two hands of the four-armed Ambikā. It should also be pointed out that no Digambara mantra refers to the four-armed Ambika and also as bearing noose and goad in hands. It is only in the Svetambara tradition, and also in Tantric worship, that she is visualised as holding goad and noose in her two upper hands. Regarding the popularity of Ambika at Khajuraho, it is interesting to note that although both the Pārsvanatha
