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Gopachala and other Jain caves and temples. In the text of Mahapurana they are shown in a sloka thus.
Asoka puspa surapuspa vristih divya dhvani scamare sasanasca bhamandalam dundubhi ratapatram
tatpratiharyani jinesvaranam II As per the sloka, the attributes are (1) the tree (Asoka) under which they got the enlighenment (2) the rain of divine flowers (3) the divine musical sounds (4) the bearers of garlands and fly whisks (5) the halo round the head (6) the trumpets (7) and the divine umbrella.
Among these, the Asoka tree is represented by two pillars on either side of the Tirthankaras in Gopachala. The capital of the pillars is shown with a wavy scroll work, the centre of which bears, the figure of two elepants that empty the pots of auspicious water over the head of the Tirthankaras. This is describd as the gajakalasha motif. At places, where they are represented, with a pot of foliage overhead, it is indicated as ghatapallava (vase of foliage).
Thus, the divine tree is shown differently in caves and reliefs. Sometimes, the pillar - gajakalasha representations are shown with Kirtimukha, a lion face, in the center; with two elephants holding a plant. At times, the same is seen as an overflowing torana. But all these are only later adaptations that stand for the auspicious trees, under which, they got the enlightenment.
As regards, the divine flowers, that rained on the Tirthankaras after the enlightemnt, usually, the lotus is preferred. The 'lotus' is considered as the floral form of ambrosia or nectar amrtasya-puspam-in most religions. It is said to be the flower, that isssues forth any divinity. Sometimes, in sculptural tradition, the hands, legs, heads are shown with lotus flowers to indicate, that the floral nature of the divinity is present, even in the limbs.
The divinity implied in limbs of Tirthankaras is excellently portrayed at Gopachala. The hands and legs are shown with full blossomed lotuses (see sketch No. 5). The halo around the heads is circular or oval shaped. In this context It is shown as padmaprabhavali.
As regards the bearers of garlands and fly whisks, Gopachal sculptures show the former prominently, near the head over separate pedestals, while the later, on either side near the legs, the trumpets, that produce divine muisic or sound, is generally not represnted in the sanctuaries. However, a triple-umbrella is seen adorning the heads of Tirthankaras. In the earlier Jain iconography the same motif is popularly referred to as trichhtra.
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