Book Title: Jain Journal 1981 04
Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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Page 42
________________ 156 time of Bahubali's attainment of kevala-jñana. Beside these female figures, there appears, on either side, a flywhisk-bearer. A single umbrella, instead of the triple one, is depicted overhead, and on either side of it is shown a flying mälädhara. The flywhisk-bearers, mālādharas, Srivatsa symbol, and the lion pedestal-all being invariable features of the Jina images of Khajuraho and elsewhere-tend to show that the modelling of the present Bahubali image was actually influenced by most conventions of fashioning the Jina images. The image is in buff-coloured sandstone. It measures 29×24 inches approximately. JAIN JOURNAL Before describing the other Bahubali images, it would perhaps be appropriate here to mention the two other rather small figures of Bahubali, belonging to c. 11th century, at Khajuraho. Of these, one can be seen on the left jamb of the parikara of a seated image of Adinatha, now installed in the modern temple No. 17. Here the vines reach over the thighs, arms and chest of Bahubali in a traditional manner and the straight locks of hair fall on his shoulders. The other figure carved on the right side (beside middle Jina figure) of a door-lintel, now preserved in the Archaeological Museum, Khajuraho (Acc. no. 1724), likewise shows the climbing plant clinging to the legs and arms of Bahubali (fig. 1). The depiction of these small figures in the group of miniature Jina figures demonstrates that at Khajuraho Bahubali was doubtless given veneration equal to that of the Jinas. The third image of Bahubali is on display in the State Museum, Lucknow (Acc. no. 940) (fig. 3). The image, carved out of red sandstone and measuring 49.4" x 18" dates from c. 10th century on stylistic grounds. Although the find-spot of the sculpture has not been given in the labelling of the museum, it seems, on the basis of its material, to have originated somewhere in Uttar Pradesh, more probably from the Kankali Tila, Mathura, an ancient Jaina site. The head and feet of this Bahubali are damaged. The legs and the hands of sky-clad Bahubali support creepers. The chest and the thighs also exhibit lizards and scorpions. Round his neck is rendered a snake; and above his head is carved a much mutilated chatra with two drooping leaves. Two female attendants, facing Bahubali on either side, are holding creeper-ends. Bahubali wearing the śrivatsa symbol and holding lotus-flowers in his hanging arms, a feature introduced some time in the 10th century, has a lotus nimbus behind his head. The fourth sculpture (39" x21"), published by Klaus Bruhn in his work The Jina Images of Deogarh, was lying in the Temple No. 12 at 8 Possibly because he is Kevali but not Jina. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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