________________
elephants are shown with raised up trunks, pouring water over the divinity from a kalasha at the centre. This feature can be identified as the gajakalasha motif. This is found in central images of all the caves. In some images maladharis and chamaradharis are shown.
Again, on either side of the head of the head of the mulanayaka, maladharis in miniature sizes are shown in separate pedestals holding garlands as if they are offering them to the Tirthankara.
Coming down to the legs, another motif of chamaradharis is seen on ither side. (Plate46) Another peculiar feature of images of Gopachal is, that the palms of the hands are shown with a lotus. Sketch No. 5 is the palm of the hand shown with the lotus. Such lotus - representations are seen, in hands and legs. The foot. pedestals of mulanayaka are divided into
(i) Padapitha-foot stool, (ii) Vrttapitha- circular pedestal, (iii) Simhapitha- lion, pedestal
Padapitha : This is the 'foot rest' of mulanayaka. It bears the decoration of a lotus flower. Hence, it can also be called as - padapitha. Sketch 6, is in padapitha shown with feet over it. Generally, it is circular below which, lies another circular pedestal.
Chinhapitha : As stated above, this is circular, as shown below the padapitha. This bears the symbols of mulanayaka, which could be a lion/ conch/ bull etc.
Vrttapitha : Its circular face is usually ornate with floral designs, the centre which contains the Chinhapitha of the Tirthankara. Sketch No. 7 shows a vrttapitha, above which there is figure of recumbent bull. From this, it can be made out that the mulanayaka is Adinath, the first Tirthankara. Sketch 8, is another similar vrttapitha. But it can also be called-chinhapitha, as it bears the sign of a 'conch' that identifies the Tirthankara as Neminatha.
Simhapitha : This is a high pedestal. Its lowest member contains the profile of two lions placed back to back in a central niche. Generally, in most of the decorated pedestals of the mulanayakas, this is made prominent, as the lowest level member. The animal lion gives a royal touch, to the divinity.
Sometimes, these are provided with additional niches. On either side the lions, space is alloted for the provision of the yakshas and yakshis, the associates of the mulanayaka. If the latter niches are made prominent, than the lions, the pedestal becomes a yaksapitha. In sketch 10, all the pithas - (1) pada (2) vrttapitha or chinhapitha, (3) simhapitha are all included. Since the yaksha and yakshi are not made prominent, the whole pedestal can only be shown as simhapitha. (Sketch 9)
(122)
