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The other Excavated Artefacts of Mathurā
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from Valmiki Rāmāyana- “The bow in the house of king Janaka had become an āyāga (āyāga bhutam) or an object of veneration and received incense, sandal paste, and other fragrant objects as offering”8. In Vasudeva-hindi, Aupapātika-sūtra and its Tika by Abhayadevasūri the word Sumanasila or Pudhavi-silāpata used to describe worship of Sumana Yaksa under an Asoka-vřkşa'.
5.3
The Classification of Āyāgapaļas: To grasp their deep coherence, āyāgapatas are classified into three categories -
A. For the worship of sacred shrines, B. For the adoration of Jinas, deities and symbols, and
C. To grasp the philosophy at a glance. A. The first group includes the carving of holy shrines on the said
sculpture. The two Āyāgapatas10 offer the depiction of stūpa for adoration as sacred shrines. In the Āyāgapaţa of Lonaśobhikā (fig. 41) the stūpa is flanked by Jaina monks at the top where they are saluting it with their right hands. One inscribed fragment of the same shows a stūpa in a central medallionll. The Ayāgapata of Sivayasa (fig. 109) comprises of a beautiful stūpa as the main theme for adoration. Besides, in the sculpture of Kaņha Śramaņa (fig. 100), the stūpa is flanked by two Jinas in upper register, strengthened the
system of veneration of Jinas and stūpa at Mathurā. B. In the second group, a Jina is shown sitting, under the caitya-vrkșa at
the centre, sometimes flanked by flywhisk holders or by ganadharas. Yakşa-yaksis are shown in the outer ring carrying flowers or garlands or keeping hands folded or supporting the wheel at corners. Here four corners are excluded for momentous carving while sides are given a room for auspicious objects. The half fraction of an Āyāgapata (48.3426 MM. fig. 105) is a very good example of symbol worship. Here a caitya tree, śrīvatsa, and three jewels are honoured and adored by establishing them individually on the thrones in the outer ring.
8 Joshi N. P., article "Early Jaina Icons from Mathurā”, 1989 pp 333. 9 Shah U. P., Studies in Jaina art, (Banaras, 1955), pp 68, 69. 10 Accn. nos. Q 2 MM. and J. 255 LM. 11 Accn.no. 20.21.1603 M.M. Catalogue of Jaina antiquities, (Mathurā, Govern. Museum,
2003) pl. 20.
