Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

Author(s): T V G Shastri
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

Page 71

width. The image on the northern wall in the sanctum has the seated figure of Parsvanatha crowned by serpentine hoods (the 23rd Tirthankara). The pedestal over which the image is carved, is simple, with two mouldings one over the other. Thus, it serves more or less as an asanapitha in a squarish niche.
This main mulanayaka occupies, a height of 6.5 m. and is shown seated in padmasana with cross legs measuring 5 m. between the knees (Plate 4). The soles of the feet are raised upwards. The palms of the hands are placed over the lap in meditative posture. As usual, the face is partially sculptured in the outline. Above the shoulders on either side two wheel decorations padmachakras and miniature maladharis, the garland bearers are seen. The image is flanked by two ornate pillars, appearing as lamp stands. They are raised over a squarish base and contains two standing human figures. They are seen, as though they are protecting him, during meditation. The capital of the pillars are connected by a scroll of a wavy garland, raised above the head of the Tirthankara. This wavy ornamentation is found in contemporary Hindu sculptures as well. Such scroll work is usually identified as the kirtimukha, depicting usually a lion face in the centre. But in this case, it appears like a casket showing the image of a miniature seated Tirthankara (see the niche with seated Tirthankara in plate 4). Away on either side, lies the gajakalasha motif of two elephants shown in raised trunks with a pot in the centre. The ceiling of the sanctum above the image of Parsvanatha, has a lotus medallian carved inside a projected squarish base.
On the southern side in the garbhagriha, there is an imposing figure of standing Tirthankara over a raised pitha. It has the chinha showing the relief of a 'deer' indicating that the image represents Santinatha. He stands to a height of 2 1/2 m. and has the usual chamaradharis on the sides and maladharis on the top. Behind the head, there is a lotus prabhavali. Again, very near the ceiling, the gajakalasha motif is represented over the head of the image. Towards the left of the image another, standing Tirthankara in a smaller scale is seen. From the chinhapitha it could be made out that it is 'Adinatha'. He is thus shown with all the sculptural attributes, and the 'bull' as his chinha.
On the eastern wall a panel of three Tirthankaras is carved in a rectangular niche of sides 1x.75 m. The panel may be shown as tritirthika. They also have all the attributes like gajakalasha., chamara and maladharis as normally found in the case of the main deities the mulanayakas.
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