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The Early Epigraphic Records of Mathura
Mathura's dedicatory image inscriptions indicate the cult of Jaina Tīrthankaras prevailing in Kuṣāṇa period wherein one can finds plenty of images of 1st Jina Ṛṣabhadeva, 22nd jina Ariṣṭanemi, 23rd Jina Pārśvanatha and 24th Jina Vardhamana as mentioned in the inscriptions of that era. Besides, two inscriptions of twentieth Tīrthankara Munisuvrata-svāmi, one Śantinātha and Sambhavanatha on their respective images are also obtained from K.T.
6.1
The cult of Jaina Tīrthankaras:
V. Smith suggests that ornamental bosses1 on railings have figures of elephant, goose and antelope, which might be the emblems of Ajitnatha, Sumatinatha and Śantinatha respectively. Even if one considers the symbols Śrivatsa and Bull on the bosses, they are the emblems of Śītalnātha and Rṣabhadeva, therefore it seems that Mathura's Jaina sangha was aware of Lañchanas of Jinas. One oldest Caturvinsati image with Rṣabha as Mūlanayaka (fig. 11) is likely to be established in late Kuṣāņa period owing to its combed hair style and slightly raised uṣṇiṣa. The Lañchanas came in iconography at a very late period; so also their reference in literature. The convention does not seem to have been older than 10th century A.D.
6.2 The Carving of Inscriptions:
As a prevailing tradition, the inscription is always carved below the feet of a Jina, but in Ayāgapața no specific pattern is noticed. On the Ayagapata of Loṇaśobhikā (fig. 41) it is on a stūpa dome while in the Ayagapaṭa of Śivayaśa (fig. 109) it is inscribed on both sides of the flight of the stairs, though sometimes it is seen on the back of the Jina (fig. 40) or Ayagapaṭa too. The type of the sculpture is mentioned in the inscription whether it is an image, a pillar, an āyāgapaṭa or a torana. Such narration proves the high accuracy and sense of keeping systematic records of Jaina Sangha at Mathurā.
1
Smith V, 'The Jaina stupa ... at Mathura' 1900, elephant pl. - LXXII & LXXIV, fig. 2; goose pl.- LXXIV, fig. 3; antelope- LXXV, fig.1; Śrīvatsa pl- LXXV, fig. 6 back elevation; Bull pl.- LXXV. fig. 3 and 4, pp 39.
