________________
APRIL, 1986
head. Her hair is arranged in an elegant bun resting on her shoulder. Shading both these figures is a sprouting palm tree, from the branching knot of which decends a miniature figure. Above the branches of the tree is a seated Jina in dhyāna. Vidyadharas can be seen on the top of almost square back-slab, and also a drum and a pair of cymbals struck by disembodied hands. Under the stool a water-pot with a knobbed lid and a goblet are carved out. The central projection of the tri-ratha pedestal below bears five interesting figures-a lion rider followed by an animal headed creature ; a Nagi and a crowned and bearded male, both seated on lotus and facing each other; and a female; the last four all holding a child possibly making up an episode. 47 The outer-facets of the pedestal are embellished with figures of a male and a female devotee in añjalimudrā.
63 cms x 43 cms
Circa 8th/9th century A.D. Plate No. 12
9. Miniature Caturmukha Shrine
Miniature representation of a piḍha deul. The shrine has two mouldings in the pābhāga region, above which on all the four facets stand a Tirthankara in kayotsarga under niches formed by stout pilasters relieved with criss-cross floral designs supporting the lowermost pidha. The Jinas stand under a chatra and attended by seated camaradhara on either side. Tiny figures of Vidyadharas holding garlands project from the top of the pilasters flanking the Jinas. From their lanchanas placed between the mouldings at the pābhāga three of the Tirthankaras can be identified as Candraprabha, Santinatha and Rsabhanatha, while the cinha of the fourth is abraded beyond recognition. The gandi of the shrine has three pidhas with intervening recesses, the lowermost recess is perforated and shaped like windows. The pidhās are embellished with horizontal bands of criss-cross floral festoons and petals. At the top of the lowest piḍha on all four facets there is a figure of a swan pecking at a garland with its beak. As crowning element the shrine has a thick and broad beki surmounted by a large amalaka.
Jain Education International
57.5 cms x 23 cms
Circa 9th Century A.D. Plate No. 13
47 For a tentative identification of the episode see Supra.
141
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
