Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

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

Page 298

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Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies
Kunthunātha in the region. The subsequent examples are known from Khandagiri (Bārabhuji and Trisula caves, 12th century A.D.), Bajrangagarh (Guna, 120h century A.D.), Rajputana Museum, Ajmer (A.D. 1144, standing as sky-clad with the name of the Jina in pedestal inscription and also with the figures of Sarvänubhūti and Ambikā), Vimalavasahi (devakulikā No. 35, A.D. 1188, with the name of the Jina mentioned in pedestal inscription and the figures of Sarvānubhūti and Ambikā), and Narwar (in Shivapuri Museum No. 12, 12th century A.D.). A few sculptures are found also from Tamil Nadu. The images of Kunthunatha are found at places like Sravanabelagola, Moodbidri and Venur where images of all the 24 Jinas are set up in shrines. Two metal images of Svetāmbara tradition datable to A.D. 1468 and A.D. 1495 are also preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. As usual the name of the Jina is inscribed in pedestal inscription and the Yaksa and Yaksi are also Sarvānubhūti and Ambikā.
ARANATHA (18th Jina) The cognizance of Aranātha is nandyavarta (a symbol) according to Svetāmbara texts, while the Digambara texts envisage fish emblem. The Yakṣa and Yakşi are Yakşendra (or Yakşeśa or Khendra in Digambara tradition) and Dhariņi or Kāli (or Tärāvati or Jayā or Vijay, according to Digambara tradition) who do not find representation with the Jina in visual examples. Instead, the Yakşa-Yakşi carved with Aranātha from about 10 century A.D. show common features like abhaya or varada-mudra and water-vessel or fruit.
The earliest image of Jina, obtained from Sahet Mahet (Gonda, U.P.), is now in the State Museum, Lucknow (Acc. No. 861). The image, datable to 10th century A.D., has both the fish cognizance and the figures of Yakṣa or Yaksi. Two seated figures of 12h century A.D. with fish cognizance are carved in the Barabhuji and Trisula caves, the former has also the figure of Yakşi underneath. The huge standing image (A.D. 1145) from Navagarh (Tikamgarh, M.P.) exhibits both the fish and the figures of Yakșa and
Yaksi.
The colossal images of Aranātha standing as skyclad in the kāyotsarga (with fish cognizance) are found from Madanpur (Temple No. 1, A.D. 1053 and Temple No. 2, A.D. 1147), Ahar (A.D. 1180) and Bajarangagarh (A.D. 1179), all in M.P. An epigraph from Gudar (Shivapuri, M.P., A.D. 1149) refers to the installation of the images of Sāntinātha, Kunthunātha and Aranātha who were all Cakravartins. The images of these three Jinas are also found in the sanctum of the Jaina temple at Arang (M.P.). At Deoli (Purulia, W.B.) there was a Pañcāyatana group of temples wherefrom a life size image of Aranatha was procured.
As usual in the sets of 24 Jinas from Sravanabelagola, Moodbidri and Venur also the images of Aranātha are carved.
MALLINĀTHA (19th Jina) There are two different traditions about Mallinātha. According to the Svetämbara tradition, Mallinātha was a female Jina known as Mallikumāri. However, the Digambara texts like all other Jinas describe Mallinätha as a male because there is a belief in Digambara tradition that women cannot attain omniscience and emancipation. The concept of Mallinātha in Svetämbara tradition thus has a social relevance which provides opportunity of omniscience and emancipation to women also. The earliest reference to Mallinātha is in the Nāyadhammakahão (4th century A.D.), according to which Malli was one of the most beautiful princesses of her age.
The cognizance of Mallinātha in both the traditions is pitcher while the Yakşa and Yakşi are Kubera and Vairotyā (or Aparājitā). The figures of Mallinātha are very few which are found mostly in the collective renderings of the 24 Jinas at Deogadh (Temple No. 12), Kumbharia, Vimalavasahỉ, Lūņavasahi and Bārabhuji cave. The figures of Mallinātha in both the traditions from about 10th century A.D. onwards are provided with pitcher as cognizance while at the Svetāmbara Jaina sites of western India the name Mallinātha is also found on the pedestal inscriptions. In Mallinātha images