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Vimala-Vasahi]
are a series of sixteen brackets with sculptures of the sixteen Jaina Vidyādevis placed on them (fig. 1). The goddesses are shown in a standing attitude. 1
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(5 A) Between the Rangamaṇḍapa and the Bhamatī are two porticoes attached to the mandapa on two sides. In a smaller dome of the portico on the northern side, is a sculpture of the Goddess of Learning (Sarasvati) sitting on a stool in the lalita pose (with one foot hanging and the other tucked up), 2 see, fig. 23.
(5 B) On the corresponding dome on the southern side is carved in the centre of a beautiful lotus, a charming figure of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, sitting with crossed legs in the padmasana (fig. 24).
(5 C) On four sides of the central domical ceiling of the mandapa, four corners are formed by the supporting beams. In the south-western corner (triangular in shape), a beautiful representation of the goddess Ambika with various attendant worshippers standing on both the sides, is carved in bold relief (fig. 29). In three remaining corners are
1
The sixteen Vidyadevis of the Jaina Pantheon are: Rohini, Prajñapti, Vajrashṛnkhalā, Vajrāñkushi, Apratichakrǎ (Chakreshvari), Puruşadatta, Kāli, Mahā-Kāli, Gauri, Gandhari, Sarvastra-Maha-Jwālā, Mānavi, Vairotya, Achchhuptă, Manasi and Mahāmānasi. For a discussion of their forms etc., see, Iconography of the Sixteen Jaina Vidyadevis, Journal of the Indian Society of Oriental Art, 1947, pp. 114 ff., and plates.
2 The goddess is attended by two male devotees on her two sides, one of them carries a measuring rod and the other stands with hands folded. Inscriptions on the lotuses below the feet of these figures show that the person with the measuring rod is Sūtrahāra Loyaṇa, while the other is Sūtrahāra Kelā. The first seems to be the chief architect of the Rangamandapa while the other was possibly the chief sculptor-Translator.
