Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

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

Page 328

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Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies
We, however, do not find any sculptural example of the Yakṣa.
(ii) Dharani (or Tārāvati) Yakṣi- According to Śvetämbara texts the four-armed Dharaṇī (or Kāli) with lotus mount carries fruit and lotus in right and noose and rosary in left hands (Nirvāṇakalikā – 18.18). Tārāvatī with swan mount in Digambara texts is conceived as bearing snake, thunderbolt, deer and varada-mudra in her four hands (Pratisthāsārasamgraha - 5.57). The Aparajitapṛccha (221.32), however, prescribes lion mount and disc weapon (in place of deer). The south Indian texts envisage both snake and deer in hands alongwith other features of north Indian Digambara texts. However in one of the Śvetambara texts the Yaksi with bull mount, six faces and twelve arms has the same set of attributes as noticed in case of her Yakṣa Yakṣendra.
We are encountered with only two figures of Yakşi found from the Digambara Jaina sites at Deogadh (Temple No. 12) and Khandagiri (Bārabhuji cave). In case of Deogadh the Yakṣi with Aranatha is labelled as Tārāvatī but the traditional features are not shown. The two-armed Yakşi holds lotus in left hand while the right hand rests on waist. The Yakṣi from Bärabhuji cave is also two-armed. Her mount is elephant and she shows varada-mudra and long stalked lotus in hands. (19) Kubera Yakṣa (or Yakṣeśa) and Vairotyā (or Aparajita) Yakṣi of Mallinätha (19th Jina)
(i) Kubera Yakṣa or Yakṣeśa - In both the traditions the four-faced, eight-armed Yakṣa is provided with elephant mount. The Nirvaṇakalika (18.19) enjoins varada-mudra, axe, spear and abhaya-mudra in right and fruit, Sakti, mudgara and rosary in left hands. In Digambara texts Yakṣeśa or Kubera is said to carry shield, bow, staff, lotus, sword, arrow, noose and varadamudra (Pratisthāsāroddhāra - 3.147). The south Indian texts almost fully concur with north Indian Digambara tradition. Kubera Yakṣa, in respect of name, mount and attribute-mudgara, reveals some impact of Brahmanical god of wealth (Kubera) who is also known as Yakṣeśa and is provided with Nidhi (jewel pot) as vahana and
mongoose-skin purse (nakulaka) like object in hand. The figure of Kubera Yakṣa with elephant mount and goad, noose and purse like attributes is found with Neminatha instead of Mallinatha.
(ii) Vairotya (or Aparajitā) Yakṣi- The fourarmed Vairotya in Svetambara texts is conceived with lotus mount and varada-mudra and rosary in right and fruit and sakti in left hands (Nirvāṇakalikā - 18.19). On the other hand the four-armed Aparajita in Digambara texts is provided with eight-legged animal (sarabha) as mount and fruit, sword, shield and varada-mudrā like attributes (Pratisthäsärasaṁgraha - 5.59 and Pratisthāsāroddhāra - 3.173). The name Vairotya and some of the adjectives like beloved of snake king and Dharanapriya as referred to in the Acaradinakara (34, p.175) and Devatāmurtiprakaraṇa (7.55-56) remind us of 13th Vidyadevi Vairotya also who has different set of attributes.
The south Indian tradition provides goose and fox mounts (along with Sarabha) for Aparajita but the attributes are the same as enunciated in the north Indian Digambara texts.
We are aware of only two examples of the rendering of the Yaksi which are carved in the group of 24 Yakṣis at Deogadh (Temple No. 12) and Bārabhuji cave. In case of Deogadh, the Yakṣi with Mallinatha is labelled as 'Himädevi', a name not known from any text. The two-armed Yakṣi in tribhanga holds pitcher in right hand while left is akimbo. The eight-armed figure in Bārabhuji cave has some indistinct animal (possibly horse) as mount. The Yakṣi shows in her right hands varada-mudra, arrow, śakti and sword while the corresponding left ones carry conch (?), bow, shield and patākā. The rendering of Yakși in both the examples does not correspond with the known textual prescriptions. (20) Varuna Yakṣa and Naradatta (or Bahurupiņi) Yakşi of Munisuvrata (20th Jina)
(i) Varuna Yakṣa- In both the traditions Varuna Yakṣa with bull mount and jata-mukuta (matted hair tied up as a crown) has three eyes and parasu in hand to