Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

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

Page 79

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JAINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE OF TAMILNADU
then come the kings and laity. After the Kings in the next koshta are depicted animals, followed by monks and in the following koshta there are depictions of nuns and Sravikas, followed by other women of celestial origin. The koshtas and the occupants of these divisions are very deftly delineated.
As described above, in one of the koshtas are depicted a group of Kings, in which each of their bejewelled countenance is very minutely captured by the artist. The outlines are in red and their eyes wide open and fixed are sharply executed in black. In the adjacent chamber, animals both wild and domestic find place; they include an elephant, a donkey, an antelope, a bull, dog, goat and even a cheetah and a lion. The depiction is crowded but, presents an interesting group of both the carnivorous wild animals and domesticated animals together, perhaps suggesting that their universal instinct at this instance was only to listen to Lord's discourse eclipsing all their natural animal instincts.
This is followed by a kostha of nude monks sitting with the same intention. The alternating depiction of these souls significantly suggests the universal and the all encompassing nature of the Samavasarana of Tirthankara.
Adjacent to the kostha of monks is a group of nuns clad in white garments totally covering their heads and listening attentively. They are depicted in profile with eyes projecting; this helps us to identify the approximate date of the painting. Similarly, other groups are also depicted each with its unique characteristic feature. Outside the circular pavilion in the right corner of the lower part, are depicted celestial
nymphs joyfully playing various instruments and other