Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies Vol 01 Jaina Art and Architecture

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

Page 329

Yakșa-Yakṣī or Śāsanadevatā
307
suggest the bearing of Siva. Both the traditions, however, surprisingly labelled as 'Sidhai'. It may be mentioned differ in respect of number of arms and heads and also that Siddhāyikā or Siddhayini is the name of the Yakşi the attributes. The Nirvanakalikā (18.20) conceives the of Mahāvīra. The Yakşi in tribhanga with lotus mount eight-armed Yaksa as four-faced and as carrying fruit, holds in her three hands a chain, abhaya-mudra-cummace, arrow and sakti in right and nakulaka, lotus, bow lotus (or noose) and lotus (looking like a trident) while and axe in left hands. In Digambara texts the Yakşa on the fourth hand is resting on thigh. Apparently the the contrary is four-armed and eight-faced and he holds present figure does not correspond with available textual shield, sword, fruit and varada-mudrā injunctions. It rather has the bearing of Mahavidyā (Pratisthāsārasamgraha -5.60-61 and Pratisthäsäroddhāra Vajraśộnkhalā. - 3.148). In south Indian texts sometimes the four- The figure in the Barabhuji cave is very interesting armed Yaksa is surprisingly seven-faced while in some because here the two-armed Yakşi, carved below the other the eight-armed Yaksa is visualized as five-faced figure of Munisuvrata, is shown in reclining posture and as having makara-vāhana. The main attributes in all with attendants and pitcher under the cot (P1.201). the texts are however sword and shield.
However the Yakşi does not carry any attribute. It is The two-armed figure of the Yaksa carved on the further interesting to take note of the tradition which cornice of ardhamandapa (porch) of Mahāvīra temple was prevalent at least at north Indian Digambara Jaina at Osian (Svetāmbara; 8h century A.D.) may be identified sites, specially in M.P., Bihar, Orissa and Bengal and as Varuna Yaksa on account of bull mount and sword which indeed is not supported by any known text. At in hand. The Yakṣa carved in the Munisuvrata images least in four images of Munisuvrata (with tortoise is Sarvänubhuti, instead of conventional Varuna Yaksa. cognizance), datable between 9th and 12th century A.D.,
(ii) Naradattă (or Bahurūpiņi) Yakși- According the figure of two-armed Yakşi Bahurūpiņi is carved in to Svetămbara texts, the four-armed Naradattă sits on reclining posture without any attribute under the seat bhadrasana (auspicious seat) and shows varada-mudrā of the Jina, instead of being at the throne end. These and rosary in right and fruit and pitcher (or spear) in figures are procured from Bajramath (Gyaraspur, M.P.), left hands (Nirvänakalikā - 18.20: Mantrādhirajakalpa - Vaibhara hill (Rajgir, Bihar), (Pl. 146)), Ashutosh 3.63). The four-armed Bahurupiņi in Digambara texts Museum, Kolkata and P.C. Nahar Collection, Kolkata is provided with black cobra as mount and shield, In all these examples the figure of the Yakşa is not sword, fruit and varada-mudrā as attributes shown. Therefore it is apparent that tradition of the (Pratisthāsāroddhāra - 3.74). In south Indian tradition, rendering of Bahurūpiņi in reclining posture was in like the north Indian Digambara texts, the four-armed vogue at Digambara Jaina sites of north India. These Yakṣi with cobra mount holds sword, shield fruit and reclining female figures should not be identified as the varada-mudrā which reveals the impact of the 13th Jaina mother of the Jina because the place of the mother could Mahavidya Vairotyä. However in one text from south never be under the feet or the asana of the son who India, the two-armed Yakṣi with sword and shield in happens to be Jina Munisuvrata in present case. hands is provided with peacock vähana.
(21) Bhộkuti Yaksa and Gāndhāri (or The independent figures of the Yakși are found Cāmundā) Yakși of Naminātha (21 Jina) only from Deogadh (Temple No.12, facade) and (i) Bhộkuţi Yakşa-In both the traditions Bhrkuți Bārabhuji cave, both belonging to Digambara tradition. with bull mount is four-faced and eight-armed. The In case of Deogadh, the four-armed Yakṣi with the Nirvāņakalikā (18.21) conceives Yakṣa with three eyes figure of Jina Munisuvrata carved overhead is and fruit, sakti, club and abhaya-mudra in right hands