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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
who is without any clothes holding a small Rajoharana with one hand and a jholi to keep alms-bowl (pātrā) in another. The period of this image is of 1st century A.D. This depiction strengthens the system of bringing alms for weaks and old ascetics. Moreover to bring food in pātarās and keeping the same in jholi/cloth bag is
still in practice with Svetāmbara tradition. 2. The ancient image of Sarasvati (fig. 32) has an ascetic holding a
blanket with left hand and kamandalu with right, the Śrāvaka is
standing on the left of the deity. 3. In the Āyāgapața of Loņaśobhikā (fig. 41) the top of the stūpa
is flanked by flying ascetics with a Kambal wrapped on left arm
carrying alms bowl. 4. A pedestal of standing Jina (362.77, AIIS, 12.276 MM, fig. 88, 89)
has two male ascetics on right of Dharmacakra wearing clothes covering their shoulders too. Here the Sādhvi holds Pratilekhana
with right hand and a cloth/Sanghāti with left. 5. An image of a monk in svādhyaya/pravacana Mudra (B. 20 LM. and
fig. 90A) though without head then also provides much information of a Sādhu. He is sitting on seat/Katāsaņa whose border is clearly visible. He carries a manuscript with right hand while left hand drawn upward in giving sermon. A folded cloth covering his left
shoulder is like the ascetics wearing in fig. 89. 6. A pedestal59 of an image (fig. 86) carrying a three Jewels symbol at
the centre which is flanked by a male and a woman ascetics with Rajoharaṇas in their hands. Here an ascetic is wearing clothes and Sādhvi is wearing Sanghāțis.
59 AIIS, 18.72, J.19 LM.
