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The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
a sacred tree (caitya-vřkşa). A central circle covering the Jina is common as usual, to form three jewels with the help of nandipāda. The gap between these nandipādas are adorned with śrīvatsa at four corners to enhance the charm. The top of the side massive posts are depicted with a wheel and a lion respectively. Here the right corner is specially provided a room for an auspicious object conch. The upper panel has five auspicious symbols - śrīvatsa, (with a ring in upper part), svastika with closed petals, vardhamānaka, lotus buds and an unidentified object, while the lower is filled with eight auspicious objects viz. the first is beyond recognition, svastika, lotus, a pair of fish touching at their mouths, a kalaśa with a handle, a pot filled with jewels, bhadrāsana and three jewels. Thus in this Āyāgapața
one can view 14 auspicious symbols. 8) Āyāgapața of Svastika (fig. 107, J. 250 LM.) :
The Āyāgapața of an unknown donor, (size 3ft x 2.8ft) has the main carving of ornamental svastika enclosed with a circular broad band comprising with a deity, a caitya tree with railing, a stūpa, and an unidentified object at equal distance. Here between the bands, twelve flying worshippers are shown adoring the symbols as mentioned. They create some specific designs with the movements of their upper linens and garlands. The auspicious symbols - a pair of fish, śrīvatsa, usual svastika and a bhadrāsana are embodied in centre's enormous ornamental svastika. At the centre a Jina sitting in a padmāsana under a caitya tree surrounded by four nandipādas (tri-ratna with a circle). This involves the tenets of Jainism like the soul (jiva) is moving in four states and with the help of Right knowledge, Right perception, and Right conduct it could attain mokṣa.20 The extreme lower side of the tablet is occupied with eight auspicious symbols - lotus bud (as seen in the Āyāgapața of Bhadranandi) water jar with handle, lotus flower, three jewels, śrīvatsa, a pair of fish and a mirror image of svastika. The centre part, between the eight symbols has a highly defaced inscription. Here the artistic svastika is carved having hands, like a tail of fish. The adorned bhadrāsana, a pair of fish, śrīvatsa and svastika between the hands adding charm to the Āyāgapata. yakşa-yakși pairs are supporting the wheel at four corners.
20 Right knowledge Right perception and Right conduct together lead to salvation.
- Tattvartha sūtra.
