Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

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

Page 795

316 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
śrnga. Each of the two bhadra balconies is topped by a parikarma-yukta rathikä 42 harbouring Kubera on the west and an unidentified Yaksa on the east. A śikharika flanks on either side of the rathikā.43 From the centre of the first tier of the phamsanā projects the urahphaṁsană above the eastern and western bhadra and it is flanked on either side by half simhakarna (pediment). An antarapatra decorated with a check pattern intervenes between the first and the second tier: The east, north, and the west face of the tier shows a simhakarna flanked on either side by its half replica. The framed panels locked in each of the three central simhakarnas contain a seated Jina figure on the east and west and Kubera on the north. Each of the four corners of this tier is decorated with a very elegant karna kūta rendered as an aedicule of the complete shrine with a phāṁsanā superstructure. Once more an antarapatra finds its place, now decorated with ratna (diamond) in panels. Next comes the third tier with a single simhakarņa projecting from the centre in each direction. A seated Jina figure is placed in each one in the middle of the mesh. Now comes a shorter, plain antarapatra and the skandha vedi (covering slab), a short grīvå and the boldly fluted ghanţă (bell) crowned by a kalasa (pitcher-finial) which may not be original.
(3) Mukhamandapa
The socle of the Mukhamandapa has suffered extensions in recent times, which mask the original contour completely. The free standing pillars over this pītha support the phaṁsană superstructure above, which harmonizes beautifully with the phärsană of the Güdhamandapa. It is two tiered and graced at the open corners by prāsadikās (miniature temples). The figures in the three panels of the simhakarna on the east are obscured by plaster coatings. A Yakşi with a lion vehicle is discernible in the central panel. The corresponding panels on the north reveal the three Mahāvidyās-Gauri, Vairoty, and Mānasirespectively. The western phāṁsanā, on the north face, shows the seated figures of Yakși Cakreśvari, Mahāvidyā Mahākāli, and Vägdevi. The west face shelters Mahavidyā Manavi flanked on either side by a Yakṣi which cannot be identified on the strength of the known texts.
The two tiered phāṁsană of the Mukhacatuṣki is crowned by an unfluted ghanță; its corners are relieved by Nāgara-kūțas. The three panels in each of its three pediments likewise enshrine divinities. The
42 Framed panel. 43 At Roda, in Temple VII, we notice miniature phamsanā instead.