Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

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

Page 299

Jinas or Tirthankaras
277
the figures of only the Yakşi are being carved at 10h century A.D.) and Vaibhara hill (Rajgir), is the Deogadh (Temple No. 12) and at Bārabhuji cave rendering of two-armed Bahurūpiņi Yakși below the and that too do not correspond with the textual seat of the Jina in reclining posture. In western Indian injunctions.
Svetämbara images and also in some of the examples A rare example of female form of Mallinātha is from central India, the Yaksa and Yakşi carved on preserved is State Museum, Lucknow (J. 885) (Pl. 145). throne ends are Sarvānubhūti and Ambikā. This image (with broken head) found from Unnao The earliest intact image of Munisuvrata, datable (U.P.) is datable to c. 10-11" century A.D. The pedestal to c. 9h-10h century A.D., is found from Vaibharagir contains the pitcher cognizance and Jina, seated in which represents the Jina as seated with tortoise dhyāna-mudrā, is shown with female breasts and long cognizance and Bahurupini Yakṣī, reclining on a cot braid (veņi), However, simhāsana, flywhisk bearers or below the seat (Pl. 146). any other prätihārya are not shown. Still another stone One interesting and beautiful Svetämbara image figure of Mallinātha with braid on the back is preserved of A.D. 1006 is procured from Agra (U.P., now in State in the Reserve collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Lucknow, J. 776). The image hewn out in Museum, London (IM 346, 1924). The figure, inscribed black sandstone reminds us as to the black colour of in Samvat 1682 (A.D. 1625) is in dhyāna-mudrā and Munisuvrata. The face is radiant with spirituality. The wears a dhoti. The inscription also gives the name simhasana has both the kurma lāñchana and the name 'Malli'. It is surprising to note that all other figures of Munisuvrata inscribed in pedestal inscription. The of Mallinātha from Svetāmbara sites do not show any Jina seated in dhyāna-mudra is joined by Sarvānubhūti female feature. The images of Digambara tradition are Yakṣa and Ambikā Yakşi carved on throne ends. What found mainly from Barabhuji and Trisula caves in is specially important is the rendering of Balarama and Orissa, Nagpur Museum (B. 18), Tulsi Museum, Ramvan Krsna and also the two figures of Jivantasvami (standing (Satna, M.P.), Narvar, Karitalai (M.P.), Karkal in kāyotsarga with mukuta, hāra and other ornaments) (Karnataka), North Arcot (Tamil Nadu) and Moodbidri in the image. It appears that the artist has intended to (Karnataka).
carve the composite image of two Jinas - Munisuvrata MUNISUVRATA (20th Jina)
and Neminātha, because we know that Balarama (with The cognizance of Munisuvrata is tortoise (kūrma) three-hooded snake canopy overhead and plough and while the Yaksa and Yakși associated with him are pestle in hands) and Krsna (with kirītamukuta and Varuna and Naradattă (or Bahurupini, according to vanamäla; and mace and conch in hands) were associated Digambara texts). It may be recalled that in Jaina with Neminātha as his cousin brothers. Thus the image tradition Munisuvrata is said to have been contemporary becomes a unique one. It may also be remembered that of Rāma (Padma) and Laksmana (Väsudeva). Although such attempts were made even earlier in 6h - 7th century an early example of A.D. 157 from Mathura (State A.D. at Son Bhandar cave (Rajgir) and subsequently Museum, Lucknow, J.20) showing only the pedestal at Mathura. Two figures of Jivantasvāmi suggest that with inscription (giving the name of the Jina) is found, besides Mahavira, Munisuvrata was also conceived in yet regular images of Munisuvrata are found from 9th Jivantasvāmi form. century A.D. onwards. However, the figures of Yaksa An image of 11" century A.D. with kürma lanchana and Yakşi in the images of Munisuvrata are carved only could also be seen in the Temple No. 20 at Khajuraho. from 10 - 11" century A.D. The remarkable feature of Another image (A.D. 1142) in dhyana-mudra and with Munisuvrata images, particularly from the Digambara the name of Munisuvrata mentioned in pedestal Jaina sites like Bārabhuji cave, Bajramath (Gyaraspur, inscription is preserved in Dhubela Museum, M.P. (Acc.
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