Jain Journal 1973 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 37

A Rare Jaina Icon from Sat Deuliya
P. C. Das GUPTA
In the well-known perspective of the spread of Jainism in Bengal close to the epicentre of its early development it is obvious that the discovery of relevant iconographic sculptures and relics in the country will throw a new light upon the ideals and traditions of the Tirthankaras. As it appears, if explorations are continued amidst the wooded highlands of West Bengal as also within the terrains of Chotanagpur and its neighbouring regions in eastern India the scope of interest in this regard may acquire a new dimension. On due grounds here one may await for materials to illuminate circumstances in respect of the origin of the religion of the Nirgranthas and the lives of the Jinas in the Asian context. Thus, very recently a unique stele of black basalt envisaging Risabhanatha and rows of other Tirthankaras has been acquired by the Directorate of Archaeology of West Bengal when the writer visited Sat Deuliya and its neighbouring village Ajhapur in Burdwan district in the first week of November, 1972. The sculpture was made over as a gift for presentation and display in the State Archaeological Gallery of West Bengal by Sri Hridayranjan Dutta of Ajhapur who formerly discovered the image in the ancient site of Sat Deuliya famous for an early mediaeval temple of rekha order which is still standing on a large mound. The discovery will acquire a significance since the temple referred to is sometimes regarded as a Jaina monument like the temple of Siddhesvara at Bahulara in Bankura district.
The stele from Sat Deuliya is curvilinear at the top being 43 cms in height and 23 cms in breadth. It depicts the first Tirthankara Risabhanatha on the crest of the slab as being seated and meditating in padmasana between two attendants holding fly-whisk. Below the Tirthankara is shown his lañchana the bull.. Above him is delineated a three-tiered