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APRIL 1984
1.
Tirthankara Väsupujya, 82 cm. x 42 cm.
The Jina, in kayotsarga posture (fig. 1) stands on a lotus placed on what appeared to be a pañcaratha pedestal, the central projection of which bears the lanchana, a buffalo. The remaining facets are embellished with ratnapatras heaped with offerings, and stylized figures of lion. The Jina is sky-clad, has elongated ear-lobes, and his hair is arranged in schematic curls with a prominent uśṇişa. On either side stands male cauri-bearers in graceful pose, wearing short lower garments and elegant ornaments comprising of wristlets, armlets, ekāvalī, kundalas, and a tall ratnamukuta. On the edge of the back slab are eight planets (Jyotiskadevas) arranged in a vertical row of four on either side of the Jina. Those on the dexter side appear to be Surya, Mangala, Bṛhaspati, and Sani ; while those on sinister side are Soma, Budha, Sukra, and Rāhu. The back of the throne consists of jewelled posts supporting a cross-bar on which are triangular foliated plaques. The circular siraścakra is gracefully rimmed with rows of leaves and beads, and has flowering twigs on either side. The small but proportionate chatra is slightly damaged at the front. Vidyadharas holding garlands can be seen on the top of the parikara, and also a drum and a pair of cymbals struck by disembodied hands.
2. Tirthankara Rşabhanatha, 88 cm. x45 cm.
The Jina stands in kayotsarga (fig. 2) on a lotus placed on a pancaratha pedestal which has a bull, the lanchana of the Jina, in the centre flanked by two devotees with their arms joined in adoration. The extreme end of the pedestal, on either side, bear the figure of a crouching lion. The saviour is sky-clad, his hair is dressed in a tall jaṭājūta with keśa-vallari falling down the sides of the head. On either side stands sensitively modelled cāmaradharas holding a fly-wisk in one hand while the other rest on thigh. They wear short dhotis and elegant jewellary which includes wristlets, armlets, double stranded necklace, kundalas, anklets, and a decorated mukuța. The edge of the back slab is relieved with miniature figures of twenty-four Tirthankaras arranged in four vertical rows of three each on either side of the mūla-nāyaka. Like the principal image, they also stand in kāyotsarga pose with their respective lañcanha carved below each on a small pedestal. The ovoidal prabha-mandala is adorned with lotus petals on the edges, and has on either side a rosette carved on the stele. Above the head of the Jina is a three-tiered parasol damaged at the front, which is flanked by a pair of heavenly hands playing on drum and cymbals. The usual vidyadharas holding long flowering garlands can be seen on the top corners of the stele hovering in the conventional representation of clouds.
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