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JANUARY, 1937
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of goddess Ambika has been carved out in place of goddess Cakresvari, probably due to her importance in the Jaina pantheon.
Besides, this caubist of Bhagavan Adinutha is a sigular specimen of its type from the iconographic point of view, reported so far from the castern part of Bihar. It can be dated in circa 8th century A.D.
A kare Khudgusunu Image of Bhugavun Adinatha
The stone image of Bhagavan Adinathar under study has been enshrined in Sri Campapur Digambar Jain Siddhaksetra, Nathnagar (a suburb of Bhagalpur Town). It is carved out in ashy black stone and measures 25.3.x15.3 cms. (fig. 3) The blacl. stone, however, has been referred to as best material to carve out the idols of Jaina Tirthunkuras. The image shows Bhagavan Adinatha standing in kāyotsargu mudrā, a typical yogic form prescribed in the Jaina canons. Actually, Jainism believes in penance (tapusya)." The Jina's hands are hanging upto his knecs. He is nude and youthful in look. The srivatsa mark upon his chest is, however, not clear. All these features are according to the principles laid down in the Silpai texts for carving out the idols of Jaina 'Tirthankaras during the carly and medieval period." The Jina's face is calm and serene in appearance accordingly.' He is standing upon a simple pedestal on which a cakra (wheel of law) in the form of simple dotted circle has been carved out just below the Jina's feet. The wheel is flanked by two bulls, the lanchong of the Jina. His clongated cars, hali closed eyes, lied heirs and a very simple trilincar umbrella (trichatra) over his head are clear-cut example of early sculptural art of the eastern India. The oval shaped prabhāvali behind his head also shows simple linear design. On both sides of the standing Jina, we find a number of seated deities, which adds more importance to it. 'l'o his left side near the shoulder, his Susunadevi Cakresvari is scated in the padmasana mudra upon a lotus pedestal. She is holding a cakru (wheel) as her emblem. On the right side, near Jina's other shoulder, Gomukha, the Yaksa is shown seated upon a lotus pedestal in the padmāsaina attitude. The flying Vidyadhara emerging from Gumukha's back is attractive and important from iconographic point of view. One of his hand
. Pruristhusurusungruhu, 3.77. sramyamtiti sramanah tapasyumtityarthah, Dasuvuikulika Sutra, 13.3. janulamababahuh srivatsyankaprasantamurtiscu
grasastaruno rupavamsça kuyor'hutam devith, Brhulsamhitu, 58, 45. santaprosannaniadhyosihano sagrasthavikarudik Sar:purnabhavaruthanuvid vang luk sananvitumi, Pratisthasardhiara, 1.62.
