Mahavira and his Teaching

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

Page 451

JINA. IMAGES IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, KHAJURAHO 423
upasarga; which is why the icons of Pārsvanātha always show from the earliest times (Kuşāņa period) the seven headed corba overhead, and sometimes also the serpent coils being extended down to the figure's base.
The covering cloth in the present example is decorated with garland. In the left recessed corner sits a two-armed yakși Padmāvatī with three headed cobra overhead. Padmāvatī holds a fruit in the left hand while the other arm is hidden. On the corresponding side sits a kneeling figure of a male with hands in supplication and head under a serpent canopy. Above the figures of flywhisk-bearers there appears, on either side, a seated Jina with an elephant and two riders atop. Beside the elephant at each top corner is carved a standing Jina. The male figure of each couple of hovering celestial beings carries a garland while its spouse is shown with folded hands. The figures of the drumbeater with the triple umbrella is somewhat injured.
The wrist of Pārsvanātha is slightly mutilated. Jina's hair is arranged in spirals with an uşnişa-protuberance. Here also the figure of warrior subduing the makara of the throne-frame animals is absent. The image can be dated to the latter half of the eleventh century. Mahāvīra, Seated:
(Acc. No. 1731, Fig. 6)
Jina is seated on an ornate cushion with his left knee damaged and the pilasters supporting the pedestal are completely lost. Beneath the dharmacakra is carved a small figure of lion, the
Contd.
prabhum natvā'tha so'mbhoja ny adhät tat-pādayoradhaḥ/ sva-bhogena punaḥ prştham pārsvau ca pidadhe vibhoặ// cakre’sya sirasicchatram dharañaḥ saptabhiḥ phaņaiḥ| adhastāt tiryag ürdhavan ca sva-yaşaḥ khyāpayann iva||
Parsvandtha Caritra of Bhavadeva Sūri, (c. mid 14th century) 6. 192-93. (Ed. Hargovindadas and Becharadas Varanasi 1911)