Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India

Author(s): Pranabananda Jash
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

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Some Aspects of Jainism in Eastern India
sermon of the Jina, wherein, on a raised platform in the centre, sits the Jina on one side with the images of the same Jina installed on the three remaining sides to make him visible to the entire audience. The figures of the four tirthankaras are usually represented as the first one, i.e., Rsabhadeva, the sixteenth--Sāntinātha. the twenty-third--Pārsvanātha and the twenty-fourth-Mahāvīra, in four directions. A miniature Jaina shrine (c. eleventh century AD) with the representations of four tirthankaras in kāyotsarga pose on the four sides still lies at the site at Badkola in the Bankura district. Another miniature Jaina shrine carved in sand stone is also on view in the Chatra village of Purulia district, West Bengal. The date of the shrine is tentatively assigned to the eleventh century AD. The four sides representing the images of four tirthankaras are not as usual, but six at a time in kāyotsarga pose along with their respective cognizances (läñchanax) Similar such shrines have been discovered from other places also. The State Archaeological Gallery of West Bengal possesses several other examples of Caumukha images and shrines.
In fact, the sculptural representations scattered all over the district of Purulia tend us to believe its strong association with Jainism According to Bose Jainism was in a flourishing condition in Telkupi, Boram, Chatra, Lauhara, Punca and other villages of this district. But among all these remains portaining to the Jaina religion, as noticed in the Purulia district, the ruins and relics still lying at Pakbira (Punca, P.S.), deserve attention on account of its beautiful sculptural materials. Besides the Jaina temples (now standing in a very dilapidated condition), the colossal figure of a Jaina tirthankara (ht. 73) carved in round on chlorite locally being worshipped as Bhiram, draws the attention of the scholars. The sixth Jaina tirthankara Padmaprabha has been represented in this sculpture. He is standing in kayotsarga pose on a low pedestal on which a lotus symbol (lāñchana) is carved and is flanked by cauri-bearers on his two sides. The towering figure standing straight by dedicating himself for the cause of humanity and keeping its head high above the surrounding ruins symbolizes the spirit of spiritual exaltation amidst trials and tribulations in worldly lise. Among the other sculptural representations of this site and its adjoining villages, some mutilated but beautiful images are lying. Of them an icon representing Pārsvanātha recognised by his lāñchana snake, flanked by two beautiful cauri-bearers emerg