Jain Journal 1983 04

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

Page 25

Some Unpublished Jaina Images of Bihar
AJOY KUMAR SINHA
An Early Image of Bhagavan Santhinatha with the Jyotiska Devas
The town of Bhagalpur, ancient Campa,1 preserves a number of early Jaina sculptures in various temples. It is one of the most sacred places for the Jainas. In the beginning Jainism was an atheist religion2 but during the early historic period the Jainas came closer to the Hindus and started idol worship. They adopted a number of Hindu gods and goddesses such as Ganesa, Sarasvati, Astadikpalas, Navagrahas and so on and so forth. They worship the Navagrahas (nine planets) as Jyotiskadevas who used to encircle the Tirthankara, just to pay reverence.
There is an early image of Bhagavan Santinatha, the sixteenth Tirthankara at Sri Campapur Digambar Jain Siddhaksetra, Nathnagar1 (a suburb of Bhagalpur). It measures 61 x 30.5 centimetres and is carved out in black basalt. (Fig. 1) The Jina is seated in the samparyankāsana on a double petalled lotus pedestal. In the centre of the pedestal, a dharmacakra (wheel of Law) has beautifully been carved out. The pedestal, however, rests upon the back of two youthful lions seated in opposite direction by the side of wheel of law. Just below the dharmacakra, figure of a mrga (deer, the lañchana of Bhagavan Santinatha) is engraved by whose side two devotees with folded palms are seen. The Jina's elongated ears, half closed eyes, curly hairs, round mole mark, halo behind the head and a śrivatsa mark are all typical to the Jaina art. The flying Gandharvas with long flowery garlands are depicted just by the side of the Jina's head. But the most striking iconographic feature in this sculpture is the presence of Jyotiskadevas on either side of Bhagavan Santinatha. The leader of the Jyotiskadevas is Surya (Sun-god). He is engraved on the right side near the shoulder of the Jina. He has been described in the Jaina scriptures as the deity of the East and the husband of Ratna Devi. He holds two lotus flowers in his hands. Here in this
'Patil, D.R., The Antiquarrian Remains in Bihar, Patna, 1963, p. 78.
Sharma, B.N., 'Foreword', The Jaina Iconography by B. C. Bhattacharya, New Delhi, 1974 reprint, p. 10.
$Ibid.
"Sinha, A.K., Jaina Shrines in Bhagalpur (in the press) Bhattacharya, B.C., The Jaina Iconography, New Delhi, 1974 reprint, p. 116. Ibid.