Mahavira and his Teaching

Author(s): C C Shah, Rishabhdas Ranka, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava Samiti

Page 418

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N. P. JOSHI
of the throne can be marked five balls, and then a crescentshaped moulding followed by four balls. This entire motif symbolically stands for the nine planets and the Sacred Wheel flanked by a deer in the centre. On some of the other figures (e.g. No. 60.354/10) the entire motif is very distinct.
There exists a small inscription on the back side of the image which runs as follows:
7.8774 ......dare a c ........ garsit tutafa
3. Pārsvanātha
(G. 34, Size 4.8 X 3.2 cm.; Sam 1414 - 1357 A.D.)
Pārsvanātha seated in dhyānamudra with the seven hooded snake canopy. The figure is almost in round. On the back which shows the snake itself there is a small epigraph. It mentions the date as Sam. 1414. A few letters following the date are not distinct.
4. Kunthanātha
(Acc. No.59.86; Size 15.8 X 10.5 cm; Sam. 1522 - 1465 A.D.)
Kunthanātha, the 17th Tīrthankara appeared seated on the cusisioned lion-throne with double arched high back. The inner arch, with chatra in centre, shows at the base two male figures wearing dhotis and standing in kā yotsarga mudra. Usually cauri bearers or some other Tirthankaras occupy this place. Over them on each side, in the middle niche appear a seated Jina and a walking elephant on the top.
In the outer arch, below each of the crocodile faced lintel ends, stands a human figure supporting the arch. In the top centre there is the Kalasa.
A jumping goat, the lanchhana of Kuntha-nātha can be noticed on the pedestal of the seat. By the side of the main seat one can notice the figures of Gandharva and Jayā, the two attendant deities.