Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

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

Page 73

Cave 4: This contains two huge images in a row placed along the western back wall. The images stand in khadgasana over a rectangular projecting pedestal about a meter high and shows prancing lions on either way on the mukhapattiaka in two niches of the simhapitha. The central niche shows the pepal leaf decoration. On extreme two niches of the pedestal, there are two figures of the yaksha and the yakshini which could be identified as Kusuma and Manoveg. Here the Yaksha is shown with a bovine head, on the right, while the yakshini is shown with a human face (broken) on the left. The four hands of the yakshini contain rosary a book, a lotus while the last is in varada posture. Hence, the Tirthankar can be identified as Padmaprabha.
Image 1 : The image of standing Padmaprabha has a circular pedestal which could be identified as vrttapitha below the feet. The image stands to a height of 8 m. It has the attributes of chamari bearers, along the shoulders and maladharis on neither side with the gajakalasha motif overhead. The ceiling contains a lotus medallian carved in a squarish niche corresponding to the head of Tirthankara and a similar feature is found in all the six caves of this group.
Towards the right on the southern wall of the cave, there is a miniature rectangular niche the mukhapattika of which contains the 'conch'the symbol of Neminatha. Below the above niche, there is yet another smaller niche (45x25 cm.) showing the reclining figure of Trishala, with raised up left leg. The child Mahavira is seen near the head.
Image 2: The first image on the western wall containing the two Tirthankaras in a line, in this group is identified as Gommathaswami (Plate 5). Although, he is not to be treated as Tirthankara, he is noted for his sincerity to attain the goal of Siddha Tirthankara through austerriteis. With full determination, he stands firm even if the creepers, snakes, entwine the hands and legs. This is clearly seen in the kayotsarga posture portryed in the sculptural tradition. In this context, it has to be stated that Bahubali or Gommathaswami, in Jain mythology, is the son of the first Tirthankara Adinatha and his brother is known by name as Bharata.
Cave 5: This contains one big image in the sanctum with two medium sized images on either side on the western wall.
The Image : This rises to a height of 8 m. It is raised over rectangular pedestal 1x.50 m. The mulanayaka with the symbol 'goat' can be identified as Kunthunatha and other iconographical details are the same as described in the former cave.
Towards the south of the main image of Kunthunatha, there is another Tirthankara in an elongated niche. He is shown in khadgasana standing to a height of 3 m. and
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