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Encyclopaedia of Jaina Studies
Digambara images show some such features which Bahubali (two in metal) are in foreign museums. One usually are not met with in the south Indian images. The bronze figure (7th century A.D.-Karnataka) is in the rendering of the astaprātihāryas (simhāsana, trichatra, Metropolitan Museum, U.S.A. while the other stone prabhamandala, drumbeater, camaradhara attendants, figure of 16th century A.D. (Rajasthan - Digambara) aśoka tree, garland bearing celestial beings), dharmacakra, is in the British Museum, London (Acc. No. 1880.241). śrīvatsa (on chest), small Jina figures (in parikara) and The remaining three examples are in the Victoria and above all, the Yakşa-Yakși figures with Bahubali, these Albert Museum, London. Of the three, one in metal, being the invariable features of Jina images, are confined datable to c. 15th century A.D. has the name of Bāhubali mainly to the north Indian images. The antiquity of also in the inscription. The other two figures in stone Bāhubali figures dates back to late c. 6th or early 7th belong to 18th–19th century A.D. century A.D. Then on Bahubali was a popular subject of The Bāhubali images from Aihole and Badami, depiction as well as adoration throughout the subsequent however, do not show any feature of the Jina images, centuries.
This process is first noticed in the figures of Ellora in The earliest visual representations of Bahubali are the 9th century A.D. It is evident that the popularity known from Digambara Jaina caves at Aihole (Pl. 223) of Bahubali and the process of elevating him to the and Badami (c. A.D. 600). These figures, identical in level of Jina started first in Maharashtra, which details, show Bāhubali as standing sky-clad in the subsequently was followed by northern India, specially kayotsarga-mudrā on simple pedestal with hair combed at Deogadh and Khajuraho, during the 10th and 12th back in jatā fashion and lateral strands hanging over century A.D. when the Yaksa-Yakşi figures were also the shoulders. It may be mentioned here, in passing, associated with him. that almost all the later examples, mainly from south The Bahubali images of Ellora and Deogadh reveal India, the lateral strands are shown with Bahubali, some common features, specially in respect of the which remind us of his association with Rsabhanātha rendering of Vidyadharis and Bharata Cakravarti (Pls. on the one hand and long passage of time of his tapas 225, 227). It is surprising that the elements of Jina on the other. The entwining creepers, beautifully spread iconography were dropped in south Indian images after over his body and cobras close to his feet, also suggest the 9th century A.D. The snakes and scorpions at Ellora the prolonged and deep meditation of Bahubali. The are always carved at the sides while in case of north depression on his abdomen, half-shut eyes and the erect Indian images from Deogadh, Khajuraho and Bilhari, posture also indicate deep meditation and spiritual beauty. they are shown clinging to the body of Bāhubali. The Bāhubali in both the instances is joined by the two rendering of deer, camel and rats are also the features Vidyādharis, wearing decorated mukutas and other confined only to the Ellora figures, carved in the Jaina ornaments and holding the ends of the creepers. A few caves (Nos. 30 to 34) and belonging to the 9th century other Bāhubali images from south India are known from A.D. (Pl. 225). Kāraikoyil (Tamil Nadu - 9th century A.D.), Melsittamur Besides the sculptural art Bahubali was also (South Arcot - 9th century A.D.), Prince of Wales represented in miniature paintings, belonging mainly to Museum, Mumbai (Exact provenance not known - 9th the Svetambara tradition and datable between 15th and century A.D., Bronze, Pl. 224) and Tirumalai (Tamil 17th century A.D. Two examples are found from Nadu - 11th century A.D.). All these images show Kalpasutra manuscript painting. One is painted at Jaunpur entwining creepers and flanking figures of two in samvat 1522 (1465 A.D.) and is preserved in the Vidyadharis. About five independent sculptures of Muni Hamsa Vijaya collection, Jñana Mandir, Vadodara.
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