Jain Journal 1975 07

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

Page 26

The Jina Images of Khajuraho with Special Reference to Ajitanatha
MARUTI NANDAN PRASAD TIWARI
Khajuraho, situated in the Chhatarpur District, Madhya Pradesh, has yielded over four hundred Jaina images excluding those represented on the door-ways and fragmentary door-lintels. Of these, more than one hundred and fifty images represent the Jinas in the usual two mudrās, namely, the dyāna-mudrā (seated cross-legged with palms in the lap) and the kāyotsarga (standing erect with hands hanging down to the knees), the former being more popular at the site. The whole group of Jaina sculptures at Khajuraho, ranging in date from mid-tenth century (954— Parsvanatha Temple) to the twelfth century, is to the credit of the Digambara Jaina sect which is indicated by the fact that the Jinas are rendered as sky-clad, the nudity is clearly ascertained in some of the seated figures even where the hands laid in the lap are broken off. The association of the Jaina iconographic remains at Khajuraho with the Digambaras is further evidenced by the occurrence of the sixteen auspicious dreams at the site in place of the fourteen as usual with the Svetambaras.
Ajitanatha, the second Jina, is represented by four images. All the images, worked out of the buff-coloured sandstone, vary approximately from 19" X 14" to 52" X 15" in dimensions. All the figures are now preserved in an Open Air Museum, adjacent to the Adinatha Temple. The figures are assignable to a period from the eleventh to the twelfth century. On the testimony of the statistical study of the Jina images of Khajuraho, it is evident that Ajitanatha was accorded a favoured position who in order of preference is placed after the three most popular Jinas at the site, namely, Rsabhanatha, Parsvanatha and Mahavira, represented respectively by forty-five, eleven and nine images.