Jain Journal 2007 07

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

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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLII, NO.1 JULY. 2007
from the 7th cent. AD onwards, namely Padmapurana of Ravisena (AD676), the Harivamsapurana of Jinasena of Punnata-sangha (AD 783), the Adipurana of Jinasena of Pancastupanvage (c. 837) and also the northern works like Trisastisalakapurusacharita of Hema chandra (c. mid 12th cent. AD) and also in Chaturvimsatikajina charita of Amarachandra suri (13th Cent. AD). The images of Bahubali were represented by two types from the point of view of the setup of hair. The one with curly hair and embedded backward is the common feature in South India, whereas in West India, the jata is flowing on shoulders. The pose of South India is grand (bhavya), the face is vita-raga and the meditative mood is exemplary which became rule after Gommatesvara statue. The prabhavali or prabhamandala, the umbrella and the Srivasta mark are only identified with the Tirthankara and not with Bahubalin of South India, but in West India they were also identified with Bahubalin. The great ascetic is always shown in this situation. He can be distinguished from a Jina mainly by virtue of the creeper and animals and on account of the attributes appearing in the lower part. Otherwise, he may be identified as Chakravartin type (like his brother, Bharata who also renounced the world and always represented by standing side by side with Bahubalin).
In South India sculptures, the creepers turned itself around the legs and arms with a cluster of berries and flowers are so natural and at the same time not only leans over his body like subduing his nudity, but also highlighting this total absorption in penance. Whereas in West India, the creepers were shown over his body but also not in a natural way, the anthill is shown conspicuous by absent and instead of anthill, snakes were shown over his body or emerging from the boulders.
It is true that Jain temples of Gujarat were famous for ornate and beautiful ceilings. These ceilings are more or less a lithic version of Jaina paintings of West India. Indeed the artist appears to have taken special interest in their delineation and spared no pains in making them handsome and intelligible which was absent in South India amples.