Jain Journal 2010 07

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

Page 32

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JAIN JOURNAL VOL-XLV, NO. I-IV JULY.-JUNE 10-11
database gathered and investigated by these scholars reflects the archaeological potentiality of the region including its long cultural sequence. The same database repeatedly reminds us of a strong Jaina association with the settlement history of the region concerned. During our exploration in the village of Satpatta we documented different Jaina Tirthankara sculptures (four images of Risabhanatha, three images of Parsvanatha and one unidentified image) along with one Jaina Yakshi sculpture, which ar presently plaqued on the right side wall of the modern temple. Detailed iconographic descriptions of these images are given below.
1. Among the four images of Risabhanatha, the well preserved specimen is made of chlorite stone and measures 87 cm x 40 cm (Pl. 1). Visually, it is quite schematic and rigid and the plastic tendencies are minimal. The Jina is standing in kayotsarga posture on a double-petalled lotus placed on a pancharatha pedestal. The bull lanchana is neatly carved on the centre of the pedestal along with two devotees in namaskara mudrā (folded hands). At both ends of the pedestal a crouching lion is depicted. The mula-nayaka obviously devoid of any wordly attire, has elongated ear-lobes, and wears an elegant jatājuta with kesa-vallari falling down the sides of the head and over the shoulders. A almost circular siraścakra with leafed edges adorns the head of the saviour. Above the śiraścakra a trilinear chatra is found which is flanked by two Vidyadharas holding long garlands and just above them are two desembodied hands playing drums. The Jina is flanked on both sides by stout male cauri-bearers. They wear deeply incised lion cloths and elaborate jewellery and both of them have plain, small oval shaped halos. These cauri bearers stand on lotus pedestals and their left hands are in katyavalambita posture and the right hands on lotus pedestals and their left hands are in katyavalambita posture and the right hands hold a fly-whisk. This is a caubisi type of image. On the edges of the back stele, on a projected