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The Iconography of the Sixteen Jaina Mahavidyas
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that the Tantric influence was gradually increasing in the Jaina pantheon. For example, an instance is known to the auther from the Temple No. 12 at Deogarh (862) where in the series of the 24-Taksis, the Yakst associated with Kunthunatha (the 17th Jina) carries a human head beld by its hair in one of her hands ) (11) Rohint - the 1st Vidyadevī. She carries the varadaksa, an arrow a, bow and a fruit. As against the prescriptions of the Caturvimfatika a7 and Nirvanakalika (p. 37). She does not show the conch symbol. The texts prescribe a rosary, an arrow, a conch and a bow. In the sets of the Vimala Vasahi (Rangamandapa) and the Kharatara Vasabi, however, Rohini exhibits conch in one of her hands. At Kumbharia, also in other instances of Rohmi the association of conch was not popular,
(12) Vajrünhusa - the 4th Vidyadāvī. She bears the varadaksa an ankuša (goad); a vajra and a fruit, which fully conforms to the description of the goddess available in the Nirvanakahika.23 It may be noted that she, in conformity with her name, has invariably been incarnated with an ankuša and a vajra. (13) Mahajvala (ox Sarvaitra-Malajvala) - the Ilth Vidyadevi. She holds the varad akşa, a jvala-pätra (pot with flanes coming out), a jvala-patra and a citron. It may be noted here that the Nirvanakalıka and the Mantradhiraja. kalpa (of Sägaracandra Sūri--c. twelfth-thirteenth century) do not mention fames as her characteristic atrtibute. The Mantradhirajakalpa, however, prescribe snakes in all her four arms. The Caturvimšatika associates burbing het, as a distinguishing symbol, with Manass (...jvalajjvalanchetika haratu mānası...56.14) while this attribute is invariably associated with Mabājvāla, specially in art representations. It is to be noted that in the Caturvimšatika the iconographic traits of the two Vidyādevis - Manasi and Mabājvāla - have been conceived in one Vidyadevi, that is Mansı and hence Mahājvālā finds no separate mention in the text. The Acāradinakara, however, describes Jvāla Devi as possessing two arms and carrying flames in both of them 29 Almost all the known instances depict Mahājvala as carrying two jvālā-patra (placed on the open palms and held with fingers) in upper pair of hands, and bare flames of fire are only rarely represented. (14) Mānası (?) - the 15th Vidjädevi Sbe shows the varadakşa, a śüla, a Šūla and a fruit. As no available dhyana makes any provision for the rendering of the süla in the hands of Manasi, and all the iconographic texts unanimously prescribe Śakti (Fala) as a distinguishing attribute of Prajñapti, already identified with definite emblems akin to her, the present goddess should represent some other Vidyadevi. Since except Mánasi and Mahämānası, all other Vidyadevis in the sel are identified with certainty,
