Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs

Author(s): P B Desai
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur

Page 91

8. JAINISM IN TAMIL NAD
hand is a bunch of fruits which might be taken to be mangoes. To her left is a lion standing close behind, with its huge raised head at the farther end facing the front and with the up-turned tail. Two male children are standing on her left side and before the lion. To the right of the deity is the standing figure, which is damaged, probably of a dancer in ecstatic pose. The deity of the above description must be Ambikā, the Yakshiņi of Nēminātha Tirthakara. This identification rests on three main features that mark her out, viz., the lion which is her vehicle, the bunch of mangoes and the presence of children, which are her attributes. To the left of this niche or shrine is the shrine of Mahāvīra ; and it is significant to observe that the former is more spacious and impressive than the latter.
To the right of the three rows of Jinas referred to above is a large niche dedicated to Mahāvīra. On the right side of this is another niche of smaller dimension containing the images of two Jinas sitting side by side. Below this is another niche of about the same size consecrated to a Yakshiņi. She is sitting on a lotus seat with her folded right foot resting on it; the left foot is hanging down. Her head is encircled by the halo of serpent hood. She possesses four hands. In her raised upper right hand she is holding a snake; and an object which may be a fruit can be detected in the palm of her lower right hand which, being folded, is touching the shoulder. She seems to bear something like a goad in her upper left hand which is lifted. Her lower left hand with a noose is seen placed below on the lap. Two female attendants carrying fly-whisks are standing on her two sides. This must be Padmăvati, the famous Yakshiņī of Pārsvanātha Tirthakara."
The rock-cut sculptures on the Kalugumalai Hill present a glowing picture of the religious ardour and artistic excellence attained by the adherents of Jainism in the Tamil land. The richness of imagery, the wealth of details and refinement of execution exhibited in them are really admirable. This imperishable gallery of art created by the superior intellect of man on the strength of Nature's bounty, will ever stand as a unique monument of Jaina culture in South India.
CONTENTS OF EPIGRAPHS: Another important item inseparably associated with these sculptures is the quantity of epigraphs which are engraved invariably underneath almost all of them. These are, in general, of the nature of
1 Jaina Iconography, p. 143. 2 The above description of the Kalugumalai sculptures is based on the study of the
photographs in the office of the Government Epigraphist for India. 3 An. Rep. on 8. I. Epigraphy, 1894; Appendix B, Nos. 20-117. These have been
published in full in 8. I. I., Vol. V, Nos. 309-406. The last two of these are isolated rooords.