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MAITRAKA-GURJARA PERIOD
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Vishnu from Tenna (Surat Dist.), discovered by Dr. R. N. Mehta, (now in the M. S. University Archaeology Collection), though of smaller dimensions, it very closely resembles. the style of the Bhinmal Vispu, and is probably of the same period. The image may have been designed for a family temple-a Ghara deräsara. This village Tenna near Kämrej is mentioned in an inscription of the Räṣṭraküṭa king Indraraja III of Manyakheta as having been gifted over in 915 A.D. (S. 836).-( Plate XLIV a).
Ananta-Vishnu from Samalaji: An elaboration of the crown accomplished towards the end of the Gupta period, i. e. the middle of the 6th century A.D., is discernible in the Ananta-Vistu image from Samalāji. Eight hands suggest four faces, the forth being at the back. The drapery and the rope-like girdle with a loop, the excellent modelling of the torso with broad shoulders, and expression on the face suggest Gupta influence. The deity's feet rest on Ananta Seșa. Four-armed Varaha and two-armed Rama on left side can be identified. This bears close resemblance to the Maha Vispu from Kanauj.-(K. M. Munshi, Saga of Indian Sculpture, 1957, Pl. 60).
The Parel image of Siva, it may be suggested, probably, derived its inspiration from the Sămalaji images of Ananta-Vispu. The stylistic affinities are more clear in this case than in that of the Mahesa-mürti at Elephanta. In dating the Parel Siva, the rope-like girdle with a big loop and the dhoti with vallis and the posture of the two figures springing from the shoulders of Siva are the features which demonstrate the continuity of Samalāji art-traditions at Parel i. c. upto the Sürpäraka area. Parel image (C. 600 A.D.) may be earlier than Elephanta, but is possibly contemporary with the Šāmalāji Viśvarūpa.-(M. R. Majmudar, Šāmalāji: Bombay State Transport Review, November 1957).-(Plate XLIV b).
e.
Vishnu from Idar seated on Ananta ( Serpent) is eight-armed and seated in Virasana posture with attendants flying along, and some gods issuing out on all sides and a few attendants near the legs; but it is largely defaced.
The well-preserved sculpture at Samalaji has three faces which are very close to those of Mahesamurti at Elephanta; excepting that, this image of Viṣpu wears elaborate conical mukutas. The crown of Visnu is of the early type, comparable with a similar crown on a loose schist head from Śāmalājī, now in Baroda Museum. The high crown of Jivantaswami bronze, from Akoță, (Few Brahmanical Sculptures in the Baroda Museum'; Vol. X-XI) is comparable to the head from Elephanta. The high cap of Saka or Iranian origin is possibly the basis of some of the crowns of early images. It was turned into a squarish high crown in the Jaina bronze from Akoță.
Kathlal Vishnu Trimurti: The massive figure of Visnu Trimurti, in tact upto the navel only, measuring 3.5 feet high and 2.5 feet broad, and carved from green schist was discovered by the local Artist Sri Dinabandhu in 1948, from Kathläl from Mohor river, a few miles from Kapadvanj. It is now deposited in its High School compound. The crowned mukufa, the ekávali and the yajñopavila are greatly reminiscent of the Samalaj AnantaVispu; the thick lips resemble those of the Elephanta Mahesamurti and human figures C27
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