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Jaina Monuments of Orissa
The only two armed Chakreśvari image depicted below the Rşabhanāth a figure of Jamunda (D.M. 35) in Jeypore branch museum is shown seated in lalitasana pose on
lotus pedestal displaying V arada mudrü in both hands. Four armed figures of Chakresvari seem to be extremely popular with the Rşabhanātha figures of Suai, Kächela, Jeypore. B. Singpur, Chārumulā, Kotapāta, Kamta and Jämundā of Koraput district. In all these cases she is shown mounted on Garuda, except however of the figure of Jamunda (D.M. 8) where she is seated in yogasana pose on a lotus pedestal. Attributes like discs are only visible in two of her hands from the four. The four armed Chakreśvarī images included within the pedestal of the Rşabharatha figures bearing Nos. two, four, seven, nine and ten of Suai and the one of Kali temple, Jeypore are provided with attributes like discs, in two hands and varada mudrā on the others. The other four armed figures under the Rşabhanatha image bearing serial numbers twelve and thirteen of Suai and that of the Kāli temple represent two discs, vessel and varada mudră in her hands. In respect of other Chakreśvari images of this category the aitributes in hands are either damaged or become indistinct due to weathering effects.
The only representation of a six armed Chakreśvari image below the pedestal of the Rsabhanātha figure bearing serial No. 8 of Suai shows two discs, abhaya, varada, sword and shield. She is also mounted on Garuda.
The Chakreśvari image of Namamuni-Gumphā is ten arnied, six with flower-like chakras (discs) perched on the fingers of six hands, the seventh hand holding a perforated disc, eighth a shield, ninth a rosary held against her chest in vitarka mudrā and the tenth placed on the lap in yogamudrā.
The figure of Chakreśvari carved along with the group of Sasanadevis of BārabhujiGumphā is of twelve-armed. Of her six right hands one is in varada and the rest hold, a thunder bolt (vajra), two discs (chakra), rosary and sword; three of her left hands hold shield, disc and the stalk of flower, the attributes of the three others, one resting on her knee and the second placed on chest, are badly mutilated.
The twelve-armed Chakreśvari figure on the left wall of the verandah of BārabhujiGumphā is popularly worshipped as a Bārabhuji image of Durgā. One of her right hands is in Varada, the second holds a sword, the third a disc. Of her left hands one is held against her chest and three carry shield, ghanta (bell) and disc. Attributes in rest of the hands are beyond recognition due to severe damage caused to them.
All these figures are provided with a garment covering the lower parts of the body. Their other decorative ornaments consist of girdle, bracelets, armlets, necklace upavita (sacred thread), anklets, carrings or studs and head ornaments. The available text in case of the twelve armed Chakreśvari images of the Digambara sect prescribe eight discs, citorn, varada and two vajras. The four handed figure holds two discs.
The sixteen armed Chakreśvari images are also available in Orissa, one of which is worshipped as Bhagavatī at Jeypore and, the other kept half buried under earth
