Jain Journal 1984 01

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

Page 39

More Sculptures from Bhagalpur
AJOY KUMAR SINHA
Adimithuna Images
The Jaina arti in India has its own colour. While the gods and goddesses in the Hindu and Buddhist religion show supernatural things, the images of Jaina Tirthankaras are purely in the human form. They are neither polycephalic nor multihanded. But the sculptors of the Jaina images gave importance to the Jina's parents, a typical Indian feeling. A few images showing the figures of Jina's parents have come to light in the eastern and central India. The author of this paper has made a survey of such images and studied them in iconographical perspective.
Let us examine first the general features of such Adimithuna or Yugalia sculptures. The foremost feature is the presence of a couple, either in standing or sitting posture carrying children in their laps under a tree. They are surrounded by a number of children. Above the branches of tree, a lotus pedestal is placed, sometimes resting upon the lions back. On the lotus seat, Jina is shown seated in deep meditation in padmāsana mudrā. The trilinear umbrella over the Jina's head and a decorated halo behind are evidences of his godhood. His palms form the shape of a lotus-bud, an important yoga-mudrā. Except the Jina all the persons carved out in the image, are decked with all sorts of ornaments.
One such image is adorning the British Museum, London. It is from Bihar. Next from Rajghat (Varanasi) is displayed in the Bharat Kala Bhavan, Benaras. Two such sculptures have been kept in the Museum of Varendra Research Society, Rajshahi (Bangladesh). In the National Museum, New Delhi6 we have one such bronze icon from
1 Shah, U.P., Studies in Jaina Art, Varanasi, 1955. 2 Bhattacharyya, B. C., The Jaina Iconography, New Delhi, 1974 (reprint), p. xix. 3 Sharma, B. N., Jain Pratimayen, New Delhi, 1979, p. 102. 4 Arch, No. 212. (Bharat Kala Bhavan, Benaras) 6 Sharma, B. N., op. cit., p. 95-96.
Arch. No. 75.196. (National Museum, New Delhi)