Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior

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

Page 89

The image, in question, measures 40 cm. in length in an area 50 x 45 sq. cm. Excepting the image, other particulars are not shown.
Slightly below, there is a squarish niche which is empty.
Panels 85, 84, 83 : Towards the extreme right of the entrance, some Jinas are sculptured in two panels, one on the top and two below. The lower panels nos. 84, 85 are of the same height of 65 cm. each. Panel no. 83 has a seated figure of length 40 cm. All the three have no identifying symbols, in the images.
(d) The Northern wall : This wall contains 7 panels. In these, the images stand to a height of one meter. One notable feature, that the panels are varied with Jinas and with different symbols. They include, the Jain saint, Bahubali.
Panels 82, 81: In these two, the Jinas stand to the same height of 40 cm. each. No symbol is shown in them.
Structure 80: As in 93, this is another structure of sarvatobhadrika. It has only one standing Tirthankara on each face of the squarish lower portion. The rest of the features are similar to no. 93.
Panels 79, 78: This is a tritirthika panel with three Tirthankaras in one. All the three are shown with symbols of padmaprabhavali behind their heads. On two pedestals are seen symbols 'fish' and 'vajra.' Thus, they could be identified as Aranatha and Dharmanatha. In the other, the symbol is not clear.
Panel 73: This image shows some difference with others. It is shown with overflowing creepers around legs and hands. Here the Jaina saint is engaged in penance. He can be identified as Bahubali, the son of the first Tirthankara Adinatha.
Panel 72 : This is the last of all the images in the lower chamber. This lies almost towards the extreme north east. It shows a seated figure of Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara, with seven hoods of a snake adorning the head.
The Upper Chamber (Balcony)
This balcony has four panels having nos. 108-111 covering the four walls. An important sculptural addition to all the four panels on the walls is that, on all the sides miniature Tirthankaras are carved, and all of them standing to a height of 50 cms. in rows of 6 to 8, they are separated by creepers decorations between two rows. This feature is seen on all the four sides.
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