Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

Author(s): Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith

Page 70

The Tradition of Stūpa in Jainism
69
Tīrthankara's mother. The 45th chapter of Vividha-tīrtha-kalpa comprises with the names of the sacred tīrthas of twenty four Jinas. Here the author informs us that Sri Supārsva's stūpa was established by Mahalaksmī - 'Mathurāyam Mahalaksmī nirmitah Sri-suparsva-stūpah'. Thus Kuberā and Mahalaksmī seems to be the same. One image of Pārsvanātha found from the site is worth mentioning, it has a yakşi in his canopy (fig. 47). Also there are two separate sun images (fig. 30, 129) obtained from the Kankālī Tīlā site showing that the worship of such deities in Jain pantheon was popular in Kuşāņa period. The third image of sun could be recognised with lotus in hands as noted in the book. The Jaina Stupa at Mathura by V. Smith (pl.xxxi). A beautiful sun image of early medieval period is worshipped at Sankhesvar (fig. 130).
2.13 The other Important Archeological Artifacts:
There are so many sculptures besides images of Jinas and Yaksa-Yaksi obtained from Kankālī Tīlā. The life incidents of Jinas and important personalities are narrated in sculptures like Buddhist tradition. A frieze depicting the dance of Nīlāñjanā (1.609 LM. fig. 13) is well executed by Mathurā artist. The story of Vålkalaciri is beautifully carved on pillars 83. Here, both sides are divided into equal compartments, to represent the scenes. Each compartment has railings and posts. On the back elevation, in the first compartment, Valkalaciri is chiselled with animal skin clothes (fig. 48, back 49). Besides, life incidents of great personalities, the other sculptures like the brackets, Toraņa beams, pinnacle of gateway, auspicious objects, perforated windows 84, coping stones, etc. are carved superbly. Here, the ornamental bosses on railings deserve special notice.
2.14 The Comments of Historians and travelers:
In the course of time, the sacred city, Mathurā, suffered heavy destruction by invaders. On seeing the broken pillars, Śalabhañjikās, mutilated images, colossal heads, pedestals, brackets etc. of Mathurā in various museums, we wonder about the massive amounts of temples and idols within just one city! The doubt is cleared by the words of Al-Utbi in “Tarikhe-yamini"
83 V.Smith, The Jaina Stūpa at Mathurā... 1901, pl. XXVIII. 84 Ibid., pl. XL & XLI.