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Mathura School of Jaina Art
of Jina images in padmāsana were covered with a sort of carpet with beautiful ornamentation (fig. 81). A part of cushion hanging from the seat in various style which is decorated marvellously by artists (B. 75, B. 77, B. 37.2738 MM.).
3.16 Cognizance/Lāñchana:
The depiction of lañchanas was not a customary in early Jina images. The practice of carving lañchana on Jina images was not known in Kuṣāṇa period. Here Pārśvanatha image is shown with canopy, Aristanemi with Kṛṣna and Balarama, Ṛṣabhadeva with locks of hair and Vardhamāna either with his name in inscription or to be understood if the image is sarvatobhadra. In few cases Vardhamana is flanked by Indras too, (recognised by his crown) as his devotees with folded hands (fig. 82). With the downfall of Kuṣāṇa Empire and advent of Gupta rule, the art conventions in India changed throughout the country leaving unwanted foreign elements in carving so iconography of Jina and Buddha images were given definite formula and accordingly they were carved. To recognize 24 Jinas in icons their cognizance were fixed according to their lives incidences and śrīvatsa mark.
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3.17 The round carving of Tīrthankaras - The Mathura Style:
The distinct features of Mathura school is well displayed in round carving of headless standing Jina image J. 7, now housed in Lucknow Museum. It is standing on a lotus. On the back, a beautiful caitya-vṛkṣa is depicted. Here a deity is standing with a child and an unidentified object. Towards the right of Jina an ascetic is standing while to his left a lady acetic is standing, both are carrying rajoharanas. The fourth side of Jina has a depiction of pillar (fig. 2, 3, 4).
The beautiful standing image of Neminatha, J. 121 LM. (fig. 45). As per Museum's record this image is assigned to Gupta period. The standing Jina has curly hair, elongated ear lobes, śrīvatsa mark on chest and a dwarfish look. Here the halo has full blown lotus, the symbol of divinity surrounded by two Gandharvas holding garlands. Their hair arrangement shows typical Gupta feature as noticed by R. C. Sharma. On the right of the Jina is a deity with five headed serpent hood touches the hood with right hand while holds an object like cup with left recognised as Balarama. Kṛṣṇa is standing towards the left of a Jina recognised by carrying a conch with right hand. A
