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JANUARY, 1983
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rendering of makara as vähana and noose in hand is very much in conformity with the Svetambara texts.21 However, the Acāradinakara prescribes fish as his mount. 22
Vayu, accompanied by the deer carved as conveyance, bears the varada-mudrā, a thunderbolt, a dhvaja (in two upper hands), a lotus (?) and a water-vessel.23 However, the Svetambara works provide Vayu with mrga as vāhana and dhvaja as chief attribute. 24
The pot-bellied Kubera, provided with an elephant as mount, holds the varada-mudrā, a noose, a long mongoose-skin-purse (in two upperhands), a goad and a water-vessel. 25 The Svetambara works describe Kubera as riding a man (nara) or sitting on navanidhi-pitha, signifying his appellation Dhanada. He bears jewels (ratna) and gadā in hands. 26 The ratna has always been represented in the form of a purse. However, in the figures from Ghanerava (Mahavira Temple) and Gyaraspur (Maladevi Temple) ratna emanates from the purse.
Isana, wearing a jațā-mukuța, rides a bull and holds the varadamudrā, a spear (?), a trident, a snake (three hooded), an indistinct object
21 tatha varunam dhavalavarnam makaravahanam pasapanim ceti-Nirvanakalika,
p. 37. The figures of Varuna at Mahavira Temple, Ghanerava shows him riding a makara
and holding a noose in the left hand, while the right is resting on thigh. 22 sri varunaya pascimadigdhisaya samudravasaya meghavarnaya pitambaraya pasa
hastaya matsyavahanaya..--Acaradinakara, p. 179. 28 Some of the earliest figures, known from Ghanerava and Osia, likewise represent
Vayu with a deer as mount and holding a dhvaja. tatha vayum sitavarnam mrgavahanam vajra (dhvaja)-lankritapanim cetiNirvanakalika, p. 37. At other Svetambara sites also he is invariably provided with an elephant as vahana and purse and goad as chief attributes. It may be remarked that the Sarvanubhuti yaksa, traditionally associated with the 22nd Jina Neminatha, is always represented in sculptures with similar details. However, noose in the hand of Kubera in present instance has been replaced by a mace at other Svetambara
sites. 26
tatha kuberamanekavärnam nidhinavakadhirudham niculakahastam tundilam gadapanim ceti-Nirvanakalika, p. 37. ..kanakangaya svetavastraya naravahanaya ratnahastaya sri dhanada..-Acaradinakara, p. 179. In some examples though Kubera sits on navanidhi-pitha but his nara vahana always plays truant.
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