Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 611

146 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
a particular image. It was only in the later period that the Jaina statuary was marked with various symbols or cognizances and the problem of identification was thus solved. After surveying the common characteristics of Jaina sculptures of the Gupta age I now proceed to describe the important specimens from the collection of the State Museum, Lucknow.
Lucknow Museum (L.M.), no. J. 2. (Fig. 1)
Lower part of the image of Mahāvīra of which only feet are extant. The pedestal represents that the Jina stood on altar with a round top, supported by two semicircular arches resting on a plain band below. The border of the arches and the band on which they rest bear rope pattern on their borders. The edge of the altar is ornamented with twisting rope pattern. On a projecting cornice on each side are the feet of couple of standing figures with flowing draperies. One foot of a third figure is extant on the proper left.
The most significant point is that this sculpture is inscribed and gives the name of the Tirthankara and is dated in the 299th year of an unknown era. The name of the reigning king is also missing from the record. All these circumstances have made the sculpture highly controversial. This was first discussed by Bühler (Epigraphic Discoveries at Mathura, J. R. A. S., 1896, pp. 578-581; The Academy, Vol. 49, 2nd May, 1896, pp. 367–368; and w. Z. K. M., Vol. X, 1896, pp. 172-174), who while hinting on various possibilities reserved his conclusion for future when some more similar evidences were brought to light. Subsequently, late R. D. Banarjee published it in Ind. Ant., Vol. XXXVII, 1908, p. 34. He reads the inscription as follows:
१. नम सर्व शीधनम् आरहातनं महाराजस्य राजतिराजस्य सर्वच्छर सते (दु) P. poo, 80, S, H ARAP faqe & BAITTEIDLAETITE sfah [li] ३. ...स्य ओखारिकाये वितु उझतिकाये च ओखाये स्वाविका भगी निय 8. ...
a met iagtata aga tigrar gala 527faat...... ५. देवकुलं च “Adoration to all the Arhats and the Siddhas. In the year two hundred......299, of the great king and supreme king of kings in the second month of winter on the first day....the daughter of Okhārikā and the lay sister of Ujhatikā and Okhā......and by Śirikā and Sivadină (Sivadattā) also, the image of the Arhat Mahāvīra was set up in the temple of Arhats... ...and a temple". He comes to the following. conclusion :