Mahavira and his Teaching

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

Page 454

426
. MARUTI NANDAN PRASAD TIWARI
The present Caumukha represents on each side the thirteen Jinas, including the middle Jina, thus making the total number of the Jinas represented as fifty-two. The representation of the thirteen Jinas in each of the four directions here, as found in some Digambara representations of Nandisvara bimba, perhaps reflects some bearing of the Nandíśvara-dvípa plaques on our Caumukha. On the basis of the execution and rendering of forms the Caumukha can be placed in the latter half of the eleventh century. A Pair of Standing Jinas: (Acc. No. 1653, 53" X 32", Fig. 8) : Pairs of standing Jinas are represented at Khajurāho by as many as nine images, all of them being very much analogous with regard to their execution and other details. The fashioning of such images was perhaps most favoured among instances coming from Madhya Pradesh, especially at Khajuraho. It is still a matter of consideration what idea could have worked behind such depiction. This might possibly suggest that all the Jinas are equal in position and, therefore, no line of demarcation can be drawn between any two Jinas in regard to their relative status. This is for this reason that except for in one case in all others the respective cognizances of the Jinas have been omitted, despite the fact that artists of that time were aware of what they were.
Each of the two standing Jinas represented on separate and simple pedestals is accompanied, on either side, by a flywhiskbearer, single hovering figure bearing garland, an elephant with two riders, triple parasol topped by a kalaša, instead of the usual drum, with two drooping leaves on its sides, halo decorated with incised lotus petals and beaded band. The pedestal of each Jina as usual is supported by two pilasters with two lions standing to front. The carpet hanging from the pedestals of both the Jinas show lotus petals decorated with the beaded 1. Shah, U. P. op. cit., p. 120