Jain Journal 1975 04

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

Page 16

Some Jaina Bronzes in the National Museum, New Delhi
B. N. SHARMA
The National Museum, New Delhi, has acquired some Jaina bronzes during the last few years. Besides being iconographically important, they are also quite interesting for the study of Jaina art in Central India and the Deccan during the mediaeval period. These unpublished bronzes are being discussed briefly in the following pages.
The most important and unique image is that of Adinatha or Rsabhanatha, the first Tirthankara of the Jainas (No. 70.42; ht. 29cms.; pl. 1). He is seated cross-legged in dhyāna-mudrā (meditation) on a lionthrone siṁhāsana). His hair is dressed upwards and the locks are trailing on the shoulders. His downcast eyes are robed in spiritual ecstasy. He bears a śrivatsa mark on the chest. The lotus-halo behind the head of the Divine Master is flanked by a garland-holding Vidyadhara and an elephant-rider; and a divine musician is shown at the top abɔve, beating the drum in great joy to announce the achievement of kaivalya by the Tirthankara.
But the most interesting feature in this image is that Adinatha, besides being flanked by an attendant, has also the images of Bharata and Bahubali, his two sons, standing in kāyotsarga-pose, on his right and left sides respectively (see for details the Adi Purāņa). No such bronze image is known to us in the realm of Jaina iconography. And probably the only known example in stone sculpture (c.11th century A.D.) showing Adinatha flanked by his two sons, Bharata and Bahubali, in similar fashion, can be seen on a lintel of a building at Bilhari (about 12 miles from Katni), once a flourishing centre of Cedi art in Madhya Pradesh.
In the present image of Adinatha, the cow-faced attendant Yaksa Gomukha is seated at ease (sukhāsana) on a cushioned seat wearing a necklace and the lower garment. He holds in his right hand a cup and probably an axe in the left. His mount is absent. His consort Yaksi Cakresvari is four-armed and is depicted riding on her vāhana Garuda.