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CHAPTER 38]
MUSEUMS IN INDIA
MAHAVIRA (116; size 43×116 cm.; schist; Karnataka). The Digambara Jina, recognizable by his cognizance, the lion, on the pedestal, stands in kayotsarga, on a lotus resting on a tri-ratha pedestal. He is flanked by Yakşa holding a citron in his left hand and the Yaksi holding a pustaka in her left hand. The Srivatsa-mark is absent. The stele is an architectural composition of two pilasters each supporting a makara (?) on which is seated an unidentifiable deity. The oval prabha has a scroll-pattern with a kirttimukha crest. A peculiar feature, noticeable in the Karnataka sculptures, is the three-tiered chatra over Mahavira's head. Plate 349A.
EKA-TIRTHIKA OF MAHAVIRA (117; marble; size 51x143-5 cm.; Virwah, Thar and Parkar District, Sind). The Jina stands in kayotsarga on a pañca-ratha pedestal. He wears an undergarment indicated by a broad waist band fastened by a kirttimukha-clasp while a stylized zigzag pattern between his legs indicates an end of the dhoti. On his chest is the śrivatsa-mark, while the nipples of his breast are marked by a dotted circle (suggesting flower?). He is flanked by a cauri-bearer on either side, while the donor-couple is seated in añjali-mudrā at his feet. His parikara is ornately carved representing four seated and one standing Vidya-devis on the vertical column on either side. On the chatra around are represented the prätihāryas. On the upper edge of the parikara are represented the musicians. Inscription dated samvat 1139 (A.D. 1080). Plate 349B.
CAURI-BEARER (118; height 87 cm.; marble; Rajasthan). Evidently a part of a Jina's parikara, the figure stands in tri-bhanga holding the flywhisk in his right hand and the left hand in katyavalambita posture. The figure is richly decorated with an ornamented kirita-mukuja, pearl necklaces, hāra, kundalas, bracelets, armlets and anklets. He wears a dhoti fastened to the waist with ropeband and pearl strings and also wears a paryastikā across his thighs. Circa twelfth century. Plate 350A.
DONOR (?) (127; size 38×55.5 cm.; marble; Rajasthan). The bearded male figure with sharp features is seated in lalitäsana on a cauki with right leg pendent. His hair is combed back and tied in a bun seen on his left shoulder, while his nimbus comprises an elaborate lotus. He is clad in a dhoti and a scarf passes over his arms with its ends hanging down. In his two hands he holds stylized lotuses. The pilasters on the stele support two miniature shrines enshrining a Yakşa and a Yakşi; above it is a trefoil torana with an enshrined Jina at the crest. The inscription, dated samvat 1242 (A.D. 1185), on the pedestal mentions that the image was got made by one Šaktikumāra. Above, plate 200.
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