Book Title: Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior
Author(s): T V G Shastri
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

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Page 106
________________ On the chest, there is a squarish floral representation of srivatsa which is different from those found in the other caves. The palms are placed one over the other, on the lap suggesting dhyanamudra and the legs are shown crossed with the soles of the feet exposed. Evidently, he is placed in padmasana. On the mukhapattika of the pedestal, in human form lies the yaksha 'Dharanendra'. His four hands are shown in varada, pasa, varada and nagapasa. The yakshi towards the left is the standing lady' Padmavati'. The central niche in between the yaksha and yakshi, shows a snake with its hoods disfigured. Evidently, all these form the representations are associated with the Tirthankara Parsvanatha. Below, there is a panel in a niche. It is navagrha panel. The Northern Wall : Towards the centre of this wall, there is a huge panel showing standing figures of nude Tirthankaras. On examination, it is found that it represents the panel of three chauvimsis three in one (72 images). The panel can thus be shown as tritirthika. Possibly, there appears to be some meaninng in the representation of 24 Tirthankaras in multiples in Jain art tradition. It is a pious way of utilising the karma in imprinting the Jinas in sanctuaries. Temple No. 3 : This lies towards the extreme north of the above mentioned open temples. The mukhamandapa facing east commands an excellent view of the Gwalior city complex, about 200-300 m. below. Originally, it had three shrines chambers but the one towards south is open without any walls or sculptures. The mandapa in front measures 5x2 m. The garbhagrha or the central shrine behind the mandapa is dedicted to Adinatha. It measures 5 m. lengthwise and 3.5 m. breadthwise. The Adinatha image is sculptured on the western back wall. It is a seated image of length of 2.7 m. from the pedestal up to the head. Again from, knee to knee widthwise it measures 2.25 m. Behind the head, there is oval shaped lotus 'halo' which could be identified as padmaprabhavali. Further up, above the head, ther is a Trichhatravali, the triple umbrella flanked by elephants holding a 'pot-of-auspicious' waters (gajakalasha). The face is obliterated by the iconoclasts. He is placed in padmasana in dhyanamudra. As found in the Jain images of this group, over the chest a squarish srivatsa is seen. The pedestal over which the main image is placed is 75 cm. high and 2.5 m. wide. Its (86)

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