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History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
quadruple images were installed on a sila-stambbha, i.e., a pillar.177
Many images of the Kuṣāņa and post-Kuṣaṇa period represent Neminatha in the company of Kṛṣṇa and Balarama. One such image of the late Kuṣaṇa period shows Balarama with seven hoods and four hands; the upper right hand holds a hala (plough), the lower left hand being akimbo.178 VasudevaKrsna carries in the upper left hand a gadā (mace) and a cakra (wheel) in the upper right hand. 179 This image also contains representation of the leaves of vetasa tree, the kevala-tree of Neminatha.180
Evaluation of the tīrthamkara images of Mathura: The Kuṣāņa period
The tirthamkara images of Mathura belonging to the Kuṣaṇa period look cold and frozen.181 They are devoid of expression and grace.182 These images present a stark contrast to the sublime gentleness and serene grace of the figure of the Buddha, and to the divine grace and lavish charm of the images of the Hindu gods. 183 They are characterised by puppet-like rigidity, primitive nakedness 184 and uniformity of pattern. 185 These images are generally stiff in pose. 186 They have open eyes, 187 and sometimes even the eye-balls can be seen in these figures.188 These tirthamkara images have heavy shoulders and
177. SML no., J.234; MCH, p. 353. 178. JUPHS, III, MM no. 2502.
179. Ibid.
180. Ibid.
181. H. Zimmer, op. cit., p. 15.
182. JAA, I, p. 67.
183.
H. Zimmer, op. cit., p. 151.
184.
Ibid., p. 132.
185. JAA, I, p. 37; HOFA, Introduction, p. 11. 186. Ibid., p. 67; SIJA, p. 12; MCH, p. 339.
187. MS, p. 23; MCH, p. 339.
188. Ibid.; ibid.
