Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

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

Page 87

The Jaina Stupa at Mathura: Art & Icons
2. Śrīvatsa:
The word śrīvatsa is a fusion of śrī and vatsa where śrī stands for Lakşmī and vatsa for child or calf. Hence śrīvatsa could be described as one who is blessed by Laksmī and a child (Sign of prosperity). In short Arhat, Siddha, Buddha, Vishnu, Śrīkrsna, Śrīrama are carved with śrīvatsa mark on chest. Jaina image has a characteristic of carving śrīvatsa mark on chest symbolising a Mahāpurusa. The same symbol is carved on Buddha's feet as his chest is usually covered with pleated cloth. Its representation is available on ancient coins, stone chatras/parasols, Ayāgapata, arched gateways of Mathurā's stūpa as well as Udaygiri - Khaņdagiri caves, etc. The famous inscription of Khārvela commences with this symbol and below this motif svastika is also carved. At the end of the inscription a crude form of banner is noticed. In Yuddhakānda of Rāmāyana, Śrīrāma is considered as an incarnation of Vișnu and called 'Śrīvatsavakṣaḥ 26. A śrīvatsa mark is available on the chest of Tīrthankaras since pre Kuşāna period. Afterwards a trend of carving ornamental śrīvatsa on Jina images came into existence. The various ancient forms of śrīvatsa areI. A pair of tri-ratnas joined with their middle projection. II. A fish flanked by two serpents with raised hoods. Most of the śrīvatsa contain round ring in the lower most part, may be the sign of round vessel filled with water as fish is the main character in this symbol. Such symbols are obtained from Indus valley too27. The early Indian coins also contains this mark as it is associated with wealth. The punch marked coins from Candraketu-garh in Bengal bear this symbol assigned from 6th to 3rd century B.C. The Aupapātika-sūtra, referers śrīvatsa as a Vatsa laksana of Bhagavāna Mahāvīra - Siri vacchakiyaṁ vacche. In Abhidhāna Cintāmani, Hemcandra calls the symbol on the chest of Vişņu as śrīvatsa28.
26 ) stariat firsity: anya:1
मानुषं रूपमास्थाय विष्णुः सत्यपराक्रमः।। II) foficerifchej a pro 27 M & John, Indus Valley..., Vo. 3, pl. 28 for you ani aasta sjakt: hradfasta:
स तु वक्षस्य शुक्लवर्णदक्षिणावर्त लोमावली।
- Yuddha-kanda, 111-13.
- Aupaatika-sutra-16.
- Hemchandra, Abhidhan Cintamani, 2-136
हलायुधकोश