Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

Page 60

JAINA BRONZES
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on either side. Further, a triangular mark, symbolizing mahapurusha lakshana is incised on the right side of the chest. However, these later specimens lack the striking beauty of the early period. YAKSHAS
Scholars are of the opinion that the yakshas were the folk deities of early inhabitants of India and subsequently incorporated into Jaina pantheon as attendant deities. 4 There are 24 yakshas, among them only a few are popular in the sculptural art in Tamilnadu
DHARANENDRA
Dharanendra and Padmavati, who are husband and wife, are quite familiar in Tamilnadu. It is well known, that Dharanendra is the serpent king, who is said to have protected Parsvanatha from Kamata. Hence, he is shown in the form of a serpent over the head of Parsvanatha. Independent images of Dharanenda either in stone or metal are evidently absent till 18th cent.A.D. His anthromorphic representation on metal seems to have began in around 19th cent.A.D. as attested to by the presence of bronze icons in places like Perumugai, Tirupparuttikunram, Chittamur, Tirunarungondai, Vilukkam, Karantai, Kilsattamangalam, Viranamur, Vengunram and Nelliyankulam. In all these places, he is depicted either in sukhasana or samapada with four arms. Upper arms carry either ankusa and pasa or a serpent and a fruit. The number of serpent-hood over the head ranges from seven to nine. His emblem of tortoise is depicted on the pedestal. SARVAHNA
He is the attendant Yaksha of Neminatha. A stumpy figure carved on the pedestal of a Tirthankara For Private & Personal Use Only