Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain, Others
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 295

Jinas or Tirthankaras
inscription), Porbandara (Gujarat, A.D. 1247), Vimalavasahi (devakulika No. 41, A.D. 1188) and Kumbharia (devakulikā No. 14 of Parsvanatha temple, A.D. 1202).
A big brass image of Vasupujya with cognizance is in worship in the Jaina temple of the Marfatia Mehta's pāḍā at Patan (Gujarat). The image with fully evolved parikara has an inscription of A.D. 1525 on its back. There is a miniature figure of four-armed Śantidevī in the centre of the simhasana. The figures of the Yakṣa and Yakşi are also shown on two ends of the simhasana. Two metal images of Väsupujya (A.D. 1622 and A.D. 1560) are in worship in the Digambara Jaina Gujarāti Mandir at Navapura (Surat, Gujarat). In cell No. 612/811 at Śatruñjaya there is in worship a Pañca-tirthi image of Väsupujya installed in A.D. 1460.
In south India the sculptures of Vasupujya with Yakṣa and Yakṣi could be seen in the set of 24 Jinas found at Śravanabelagola, Moodbidri and Venur. VIMALANATHA (13th Jina)
The cognizance of Vimalanatha is boar while the Yakṣa and Yakşi are Şanmukha and Viditä (or Vairotya, according to Digambara texts). The earliest visual representation of Vimalanatha, belonging to 9th century A.D., is found from Varanasi (now in Archaeological Museum, Sarnath, Acc. No. 236). The sky-clad figure of Jina stands on the simple pedestal with the cognizance. No pratiharya excepting flywhisk bearing attendants is carved. The other important figures are found from Bateswar (Agra, U.P. State Museum, Lucknow, Acc. No. J. 791, A.D. 1009, showing two-armed YakṣaYakși figures with abhaya-mudra and kalasa), Aluwara (Bihar, 11th century A.D., bronze image now in Patna Museum, Acc. No. 10674), Khandagiri (Barabhuji and Triśūla caves), Narwar (M.P. Raipur Museum, Acc. No. 20, 12th century A.D.), Vimalavasahi (devakulikā No. 15, A.D. 1188, showing the name of the Jina and the figure of Yakṣi Ambikā) and Kumbharia (Śantinatha temple, A.D. 1081).
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A brass Pañca-tirthi of Vimalanatha is preserved in the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai. It was installed in A.D. 1629. A full parikara is shown here. A Pañcatirthi metal image of Vimalanatha inscribed in A.D. 1429 is in worship in the Jaina temple at Chani near Vadodara (Gujarat). A few metal images of medieval period are preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, also. These inscribed images of Śvetambara tradition have Sarvanubhuti and Ambika as YakṣaYakṣi. The name of the Jina is also given in the pedestal inscriptions.
As usual Vimalanatha has also been represented in the collective renderings of 24 Jinas of Śravanabelagola, Moodbidri and Venur. ANANTANATHA (14 Jina)
The cognizance of Anantanatha, according to Śvetambara texts, is falcon (syena), while the Digambara texts prescribe bear. The Yakṣa and Yakși associated with the Jina are Pätäla and Ankuśā (or Anantamati, according to Digambara texts). The images of Anantanatha are found from about 11th century A.D. and are meagre in number. Rarely the Yakşa and Yakşi were carved which in case of Vimalavasahi (devakulikā No. 33, A.D. 1188) are Sarvanubhuti and Ambika. An image (A.D. 1088) of Anantanatha was also installed in the Mahavira temple at Kumbharia. A metal Pañcatirthi image of Anantanatha (A.D. 1418) is in worship in the Ajitanätha temple at Radhanpur. A metal Caturvimsatipata of Anantanatha (A.D. 1420) is in worship in the Jaina shrine at Chani (Vadodara). A metal sculpture showing also the figures of Yakṣa and Yakṣi (A.D. 1450) is preserved in the National Museum, New Delhi (Acc. No. 48.4/52).
As usual in three sets of 24 Jinas, known from Sravanabelagola, Moodbidri and Venur, also the figures of Anantanatha could be seen.
DHARMANATHA (15th Jina)
The cognizance of Dharmanatha is vajra (thunderbolt) while the Yakṣa and Yakṣi associated with him are Kinnara and Kandarpa (or Manasi,