Jain Journal 1978 10

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

Page 34

OCTOBER, 1978
door-lintels of the Jaina temples and also on the parikara and the sinhasana of the Jina images during c. eighth-twelfth centuries A.D. Their rendering was more popular with the Digambaras, specially at the Jaina sites of Mathura, Deogarh and Khajuraho. However, the representation of the navagrahas at Svetambara Jaina sites is rarely met with. It is worthwhile to note here that the iconographic features of the navagrahas at the Jaina sites lack in variety and follow the features of the Brahmanic representations.
All the grahas of our door-lintel possess two hands and wear decorated mukutas, necklaces and other usual ornaments. Surya, the sun god, sit in utkūţikūsana (squatting pose) and holds long-stalked lotus in each of his hands. In front of him is carved a small standing female figure who may be identified with Usa. The subsequent six figures following Surya, sit in lalitāsana and show the abhaya-mudrā and a kalaša in their right and left hands respectively. They represent Candra, Mangala, Budha, Brhaspati, Sukra and Sani grahas. Rahu, whose bust is only shown, occupies the extreme end of the slab. His hands are shown in the tarpaņamudrā. Over the head of Rahu, there appears Ketu, a snake deity, in hovering pose with his hands folded. He is shaded by cobrahoods and his body below the waist is that of a serpent.