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Jaina Rock-cut Caves in Western India 8. Seated Supārsvanātha: 0.5m by 0.33m.
He is seated in padmāsana on a cushion. The head is shown plain. Above the head is a five-hooded snake; while on the chest is a diamond-shaped śrivatsa (Plate 167).
9. Chauvisi: 0.84m by 0.8m.
Though it is a chauvisi, total twenty-five Jinas are carved. There is a mūlanāyaka, Rsabhanātha, flanked by a standing Jina. Beyond each standing Jina is a seated Jina. Above them and flanking the head of the main Jina are two seated Jinas on each side. Above them and flanking the chhatra of the main Jina are three seated Jinas on each side. Above are two rows of seated Jinas, the lower one with seven Jinas, while the upper row has three Jinas.
Rşabhanātha is seated in padmāsana on a cushion, below which is depicted the lañchhana of the Jina, a bull. He has long ears, plain head and a diamond-shaped śrivatsa. On each side of the head is a leaf to show the tree of the Jina. Above the head is a triple chhatra of diminishing size with a kalaśa on top. At the ends of the upper row of Jinas are small figures of flying garland bearer. The standing Jinas flanking Rşabhanātha are Parsvanātha and Supārsvanātha as testified by the snake-hoods above their heads. The number of hoods cannot be determined in either case (Plate 167).
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At present the icon of Parsvanātha is covered in a room, built recently (Fig. 71). According to Fergusson and Burgess, this structure was built by a banyā from Aurangabad in the early 18th century. It has again been renovated more recently.
This icon on the rock face is a colossal, about five metres high (Plate 168). It consists of a seated figure of Parsvanatha flanked by his yaksa Dhāranendra and his yakşi Padmavati and seated figure of a devotee. The figure of Parsvanātha projects out, while the other figures are carved on the wall. The entire panel is flanked by pilasters, beyond which, is a large standing figure of a male attendant with a jar. These figures are fully decked. The pilasters do not have base and the shaft has a square block, round portion with two octagonal bands and a karnikā, octagonal band, square portion carved with kirtimukha and an octagonal band. The upper part of the shaft is round surmounted by two kumuda mouldings with a triangular plate on each face. The capital is cushionshaped with a ghata-shaped member above. On each side of the main icon are two to three steps leading to the figures of devotees, yakşa-yakşi and also the main icon. It is difficult to determine whether these steps are original or cut recently. At present, all the figures are painted with dark brown paint.
1. Devotee: He is seated in ardhapadmāsana on a thick cushion and is turned to Parávanātha. His head is shown plain, while he has a beard. The hands are in añjali mudra and between the hands is held an akşamāla. He wears all the ornaments and sacred thread (Plate 169).
2. Dharanendra: This four-armed figure stands in dvibhanga. The right lower hand is in abhaya mudra with an akşamala hung on the thumb. In left lower hand is held a
