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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
is found from Mathurā in 1961 A.D. (fig. 23) shows the popularity
of such a deity and its separate cult of adoration in Jainism. 3) Āyāgapata set up by Sivayasā (fig. 109, J. 255 LM.) :
This tablet, though partly mutilated gives a better view of Jaina stūpa with adorned gateway. The two railings round the circumambulatory passage, beautiful Sālabhañjikās and two posts flanked the stūpa dome. A large wreath which hangs from the toraņa gateway is flower decoration called 'vandanvara'. It has no niches on either side of the stūpa entrance like the Ayāgapața of Loņaśobhikā. The plain railings as well as the inscription are very archaic type. Vincent Smith suggests about its letters, “Little more archaic than those of Dhanbhuti's inscriptions on the gateway of Bhārhut stūpa, dated in the reign of the Sunga, or about
150 B.C.”16 Buhler also agreed about its archaic character. 4) Āyāgapața of Śivaghoșaka (fig. 106, J. 253 LM.) :
This Ayāgapata represents Pārsvanātha in the centre adored by two standing monks (or ganadharas). He is sitting in padmāsana on a raised dais under a caitya tree. The centre ring is surrounded by a large circle having four pairs of nandipāda. The broad band of the same has a beautiful lotus creeper. The right side is embellished with a wine creeper coming out of a pot displaying the archaic art prior to Kuşāņa era. The four corners are designed vividly. The right lower corner presents a symbol of śrīvatsa, with long lotus leaves. The right upper corner has a pair of swans touching their beaks. The upper left corner has two elephants standing touching their backs. At lower left corner a lion is sitting in its usual manner. The scholars like Vincent Smith and Dr. Buhler assigned this Ayāgapața, a century before the Christian era due to its linguistic and palaeographical
peculiarities and vine border?? 5) Āyāgapața of a Wheel (fig. 108, J. 248 LM.) :
This tablet of homage is gifted by an inhabitant of Mathurā as per the inscription. This is without Jina image at the centre but is surrounded by a sixteen spoke wheel enclosed in another circle containing the band of sixteen three jewels (Tilaka-ratnas). The same is followed
16 Smith, Jain Stūpa..of Mathurā ... preface, 1901. 17 Ibid., pp 17, pl. X.
