Book Title: Jaina Iconography
Author(s): B Bhattacharya
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

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Page 166
________________ 132 Jaina Iconography Mahāmānasi The Svetambaras describe the sixteenth Vidyadevi as riding on a lion and bearing, in her four hands, varada, sword, kamandalu and lancel. The Digambara representation of the goddess sits on a swan and holds a rosary, Varadamudrā, goad and garland? Again, the conception of this Vidyādevi is presumably based upon that of Vāgīśvari. The sword symbol specially corresponding to the Digambara Yakșiņi of like name is Nirvāņi of Jina śāntinātha. As noticed before, her symbols of book, kamandalu and lotus befit more a Vidyādevī than a Yakşiņi. The Digambara conception of Mahāmānasi either as a Yakșiņi or Vidyādevi has symbols such as, peacock, swan, rosary, which fit in with the characteristics of the goddess of learning. महामानसीं धवलवर्णा सिंहवाहनाम् । चतुर्भुजां वरदासियुक्तदक्षिणकरां कुण्डिकाफालकयुतवामहस्ताम् । Nirvāņakalika. रक्तां महाहंसगताक्षसूत्रवराङ्कुशस्रक्सहितां यजे त्वाम् ।। Pratisthāsāroddhāra.

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