Jain Journal 1981 07

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

Page 27

JULY, 1981
The two-armed pot-bellied figure of Yakşa, seated in lalitāsana with right leg hanging and the corresponding left being tucked up, represents Sarvanubhuti (Kubera-like Yakşa). It may, however, be noted here that Sarvanubhuti happens to be the earliest and the most favoured Yakşa of the Jaina pantheon who has been represented both in literature and art as the Yakşa of most of the Jinas, barring Parsvanatha, Suparsvanatha and in cases Rsabhanatha also. Customarilly, there ought to have been Yaksa Gomukha at this situation. Sarvanubhuti bears a fruit, slightly mutilated, in right hand, while the corresponding left shows a mongoose-skin purse. Close to his feet on two sides are carved two vases filled with coins, nidhi, of which one is turned on ground showing coins coming out and scattered. Yakşa is bedecked in necklace, armlets, ear-pendants and decorated headdress with long wavy jațā.
The corresponding left corner of the throne contains the figure of an eight-handed Cakresvari, seated in lalitāsana on Garuda (represented in human form), who is supporting her with its two hands. The Yakşi is embellished with tall jaļā-mukuța, necklace, ear-rings, scarf, armlets, dhoti and other usual jewelleries. Cakresvari is conceived as the Yakşt of the first Jina Rsabhanatha. She shows a thunderbolt, a mace, a snake (may be a purse even), a disc, a bow, and the abhaya-mudrā in her surviving hands. At each side of the goddess appears a devotee, much defaced, with hands folded in supplication. On lowermost part of the throne, in two recessed registered, are harboured four figures of the worshippers, two in each, with folded hands and also with offerings. These figures, perhaps, represent the donors of the image.
The most striking feature of the present image is the rendering of two goddesses, seated in lalitāsana, on two sides of the dharmacakra. The two-armed goddess, sitting to right, has lost her right hand but with left she holds a long-stalked lotus. She sits on a lotus seat with its stems being delineated below. The goddess may be identified with Laksmi who undoubtedly has enjoyed a favourable position in Jaina pantheon. The figure on the corresponding left side is much effaced and represents Ambika, the Yakşi of the 22nd. Jina Neminatha. Ambika rides a lion and holds a ghanta topped by a trident in her right hand while with the left she supports a child seated in her lap and touching her bosom. Behind the heads of these goddesses are depicted prominent garland-like motif forming aureoles. It may be pointed out here that the rendering of the two goddesses flanking the dharmacakra was an innovation on the part of the artist, which probably suggests relatively favoured position enjoyed by Rsabhanatha. The association of Cakresvari, Ambika and Laksmi, the three most popular Jaina goddesses, with the Jina thus establishes