Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

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

Page 84

Mathurā School of Jaina Art
some words, gives rise to some special application and cycle like kāla-cakra, bhava-cakra, karma-cakra, sahasrāra-cakra, sudarśanacakra etc.
In every Indian traditions the concept of yantra/a mystic diagram is mainly based upon a wheel where its centre is important, while in concentration, it releases energy. Śrī-yantra, Siddha-cakra-yantra (fig. 64), Rsi-mandala-yantra (Mandala denotes circle / cakra) etc. developed in Jaina pantheon over a period of time. Most of the images of Kusāna period have a depiction of a wheel in the centre of the pedestal flanking with fourfold community (caturvidha sangha). The position of the wheel varies from Kuşāņa to medieval period. In Kuşāņa period the wheel is given prominent position at the centre, chiselled in various ways like1) Placed on a small pillar either vertical (J. 10 LM., J. 12 LM. fig.
11, 55, 88) 2) or Horizontal (fig. 45, 62) 3) on a Kumbha (I. 42 LM.) 4) on a head (J. 11 LM., J. 60 LM., J. 68 LM.). 5) Sometimes a ribbon passed through the centre of the cakra. (fig. 11) 6) In some cases it is carved on nandipāda to complete three jewels
(J. 20 LM., fig. 86) 7) An image of Aristanemi from Sonbhandāra, Rājagrha has a dharmacakra
at the back side of a yakșa standing in varada pose flanking by conches. 18
A vertical wheel might be symbolising the continuity of carrying the sermons of Mahāvīra till today as suggested by present Ācārya Kulacandraji.19 After fourth century A.D. it was carved at the same place on the pedestal but horizontal flanked with deer. The Āyāgapata representing wheel with sixteen spokes from Kankālī mound, is now in Lucknow museum. Its sixteen spokes might be symbolising sixteen special virtues (Bhāvanās)
18 Shah U. P. Studies in Jaina art, 1955, fig. 18 19 As discussed about vertical wheel with Ā. Kulacandraji during his Caturmasa at Mulund,
Mumbai in 2014.