Jain Journal 2001 07

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

Page 26

EKAMBARANATHAN: MAHĀVĪRA IN SCULPTURAL ART-TAMIL NADU
the three are identical, the last in the group represents Mahavira, as he is generally assigned the last place in group sculptures.
At Chitaral, Mahāvīra is sculpted between Pärśvanatha and Ambikā yakṣi. Here, the tradition of placing Mahāvīra next to Pārśva, as of the hierarchy of Tirthankaras, is followed. His figure is portrayed majestically in dhyāna posture with a conical shaped trichatra above the head. Lion carvings found on its pedestal have been mistaken for the lanchana of Mahavira by some scholars. 12
Among the "three-in-one" panels, the splendid specimen comes from Kalugamalai, where Mahāvīra is accommodated within a huge niche. He is elegantly portrayed in meditative pose on a simhāsana and flanked by gracefully standing chauri bearers and flying Vidyadharas. Its tonsured head, receding forehead, descending earlobes, half-closed eyes, smiling countenance and smooth flowing muscles of the body mirror the rich heritage of early Pandya art.
21
Mahavira in a group of five sculptures are found and Chettipodavu, Tirakkol and Chittamur. Chettipodavu has low reliefs of three Tirthankaras flanked by two yakṣis, equal in size. Among the Jinas, Mahavira, occupying the last place, is sculpted with a muscular body than the others. Accessory features like prabha, trichatra and camaradaris are thinly executed in this panel.
The oblong panel in the Malainatha temple at Chittamur contains sculptures of Gommata, Pärśvanātha, Adinatha, Mahavira and Ambika yakṣi. Here also Mahāvīra occupies the place next to Adinatha. Besides, Mahavira possesses a sturdy physique and horizontal shoulders, which reveal his identity. This sculptured group was consecrated during the reign of Aditya Chola I.13 Some endowment made for lighting a lamp before these images, when fell into disuse was revived in 888 A.D., by Adity's Queen. 14
In the case of Tirakkol near Vandavāsi, all the images are of the Tirthankaras carved around a boulder near the Jaina Cave. In this group, Mahavira is sculpted at last, facing south and with the usual iconographical features. Provisions were made to light perpetual lamps before these images during the Chola period. 15
Apart from the aforesaid 8th and 9th centuries sculptures of Mahāvīra, isolated images of a single Tirthankara, datable between
12. H. Sarkar in Jaina Art and Architecture, Vol. II, pp. 231-232.
13. ARE, 201/1902
14.
Ibid., 203/1902.
15. Ibid., 278/1916.