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Description and Chronology of Caves
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a narrow border of geometric designs. Near right side pillars only single row is shown with similar border above the row. These rows have narrative panels. The rows near front pillars have around ten panels each. There are few figures in each one, obviously depicting some story. But the paintings are too dark and small in size to identify anything. It is definitely life story of some Jina as in one frame a Jina can be seen with hands stretched out, in front of whom a female is standing. It appears that Jina is taking alms (Plate 75). The row near right pillars has a man seated in a house or some structure indicated by two pillars and a roof resting on them. Behind him stands a man, while five men can be seen standing in front. All of them wear short dhoti and have a beard. All except the seated man has a bun behind the head. The seated man wears a conical cap. The theme of this panel is also uncertain (Plate 76).
Within this rectangular band are few circular bands. The first band has a procession of figures moving ahead. Near right pillars, this band has two males and two females. The heads of all figures, except one, are destroyed. They do not wear any ornaments. Near front pillars, this band has a couple seated on a bull. This figure is usually identified as Yama on buffalo (Sivaramamurti 1968: 77). But the animal is clearly bull. In front of him are two males walking, before whom is seen hind portion of a lion. Behind the couple are another male and a part of another animal, probably horse. The rest of the portion is destroyed. All around them are clouds with faces peeping out. The exact identification of these figures is difficult. They are usually identified as dikpalas (Sivaramamurti 1968: 77). These figures could also be different Indras of Jaina pantheon. Isana, one of the popular Indras, has bull as vahana. Sanatkumara another Indra of vaimanika gods has lion as vahana (Shah 1984: 58). It is quite possible that this band represents all the Indras of vaimanika gods (Plate 75).
The next circular band is of creepers, flowers, ducks etc. Unlike previous bands, this band must have formed the full circle, as it is present near the central back pillars also. Next is the narrow band with fish, tortoise. Next band is of geometrical design. A part of this band near back pillars has an opening, near which is a torana with two vertical & two or three horizontal bars between vertical bars. Next band has design of staggered half square, half circle and floral motifs. Next two bands are unclear, but seem to have some female figures, flowers etc. The lower band, preserved near front pillars, has a circle within which there are ducks. Similar, but oval shaped design encircling ducks is present in the upper band near back pillars. This seems to be tank or pond (Plate 77).
Most part of the painting, especially in the centre, is destroyed. Therefore, only outer bands could be reconstructed.
This painting appears to be the representation of Samvasarana, the assembly hall created by gods for the first sermon of every Jina. It is a circular structure with three ramparts. Each rampart has a tōraṇa gateway on each side. In the centre was built a gandhakuti where Jina sat and delivered the sermon. According to the description given by Jinasena in Adipurana, there was a moat filled with water, full of lotuses and encircling the Samvasarana area. In the outer moat rampart were lotus ponds along with kridamandapas, artificial hillocks, mansions, prekṣagrihas, citrasalas etc. This first sermon was attended by all beings. All, including animals & birds, had specific places in different ramparts in the Samvasaraṇa. (Shah 1987: 23-25).
