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112
Arhat Pārsva and Dharanendra Nexus
of the examples, however, Dharanendra also stands close to Padmăvati on the right flank of Pārsvanātha.
Of the five figures of Sambara in an example from cave 31, one is interestingly shown with a lion face carved on its belly which was a usual convention of showing one of the form of the ganas but more specifically kumbhānda, the early examples of which are known from Bādāmi (Plate 56). The figure of Padmavati here is adorned with jewellery and is gracefully modelled.
The representations of Pārśva in cave no. 32 are most elaborate in respect of the rendering of the upasargas. In one of the figures, Sambara, kneeling at the feet of Pārśva with folded hands, has a terrifying appearance with bulging eyes and protruding fangs. In one case figure of Sambara is shown only as bust after the manner of Rāhu. In an elaborate example (Plate 57), the seated figures of Sambara and his consort are shown at the feet of Pārsva and the chatradhārini Padmāvati are finely executed. The dynamic figures of Sambara, eight in number, in differing forms, make a realistic depiction of the severe inflictions cast by saṁbara toward Pārsva. Three figures ride on lion and buffalo and hold snake and dagger. The figure carved very close to Pārśva apparently fail to shake Pārśva from his tapas which is suggested by his calm and benign face. This undoubtedly is the best of all figures of Pārsva at Ellorā both in terms of details and the enactment of the legend which appears ethereal. In some of the examples, the compositional scheme is not so elegant and it appears crowded as well as lack in vitality. In one of the instances, a monster is shown only by his head with his hands being closed to its mouth. In all examples, different emanatory forms of Sambara attacking Päráva are carved on both sides as hovering, so as to suggest that the inflictions originated from the sky. In an example in cave No. 32 a figure of dākini with snake garland and twisted snake in arm is also carved (Plate 58). The image also contains two diminutive figures of Jinas standing at the two extremities. However, a bearded monk with hands raised in tapas stands close to Padmāvatī; he may be identified with Kamatha or Katha performing penance. Another detailed representation in cave No. 32 showing eight devilish figures of Sambara is not so fine in terms of its compositional setting. The carver, however, has here paid considerable attention to the details of upasargas with forceful elaboration (Plate 57). But the weird power of Sambara seems ridiculous before the spiritual luminosity of Pārsva. Of the eight figures, two ride on buffalo and lion, while one is shown blowing a conch. The figure hovering in the air and hurling a huge boulder at Pārsva is the most forceful of all such depictions. In one of the examples in cave No. 32, two figures riding respectively a lion and buffalo
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