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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYA M
was as terrible as that of the real beasts. It indicates that they were the clay or plaster models of animals which were so painted that they seemed to be real ferocious beasts (68. 5, 7, 13). Thus these references prove that the clay-modelling and painting had reached a high stage of development.
Sculpture :-Various references to Jina-pratimas indicate that the art of sculpture was known to ancient India. Jina-images of different materials, sizes and colours have been mentioned. The PCV states that the idol of Jina Rṣabha which was worshipped by Vidyadhara Candragati had the lock of hair tied upon its head (dihajaḍāmaudakayasoham 28. 39). Further the reference to savvaŭgasundarão' (40. 11) Jina idols indicates that the idols were carved artistically. Generally the idols would have been carved out of stones or wood. There are
references to the idols of gold, gems (kancanarayanamaiņaṁ paḍimāņam 66. 11; 89. 59) and ruby (paumaraganimmāņā 77. 27). It is stated that on the Vamśagiri various coloured Jina-idols were installed (nāņāvaņņujjala-sirīo 40. 11). The size of the idols must have varied. Rāvana is said to have been carrying a Jina-idol along with him wherever he went (10. 47). It must be a reference to an idol of small size. Idols of the size of a thumb have been referred to (angutthapamāņa 89. 54.) Then it is stated that a gem fixed in the fingerring of king Vajrakarna was carved with an image of Suvratajina (muddiyam............rayanacittam Suvvayajiņabimbasannihiyam 33. 56). It iudicates that very fine and excellently artistic images were made. There are further references to the idols of Siddhas (5.136) and Saptarsis (89.59).
It is stated that the figures of monkey carved on gems were fixed on crowns, arch's, parasols, and banners to represent the emblem of the Vanara dynasty (rayan aghaḍie......pavangame 6.80). This is a reference to carving of animal figures.
The idols were installed on slabs. Slabs are called as phalaas = phalakas (89.59). They might be wooden planks or stone slabs. The reference to the Simhasana (28.39) on which was seated the Jina-idol indicates that the lion-seat was artistically carved out with the figures of lions.
The reference to 'puriso.
..sippiyakayovva 1-27' is perhaps an allusion to a statue of a man of full size and it should have been a sculptural representation.
1. See Infra, Jaina Rituals.
