Some Notable Swetambara Jain Bronzes

Author(s): Umakant P Shah
Publisher: Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf and Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf and Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf

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Vol. III, 1997-2002
Some Notable Svetāmbara Jaina Bronzes
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the placing of the two standing camaradharas on lotuses suggest the influence of Karņāta, though the rendering of the Jina figures, and especially the figures of the Sarvāṇha Yakṣa and the Ambika Yakṣī, suggest that this is a bronze reflecting also the Gurjara-Pratīhāra art produced probably in Lāta or Southern Gujarat in c. ninth century A. D. (I am thankful to late Sheth Kasturbhai Laibhai for giving this photograph to me. [The photography was done by Shri Amritlal Trivedi-Editors.] A few years ago, a dated Jaina brass image (Plate 3) was dug out while carrying out reparation in the compound of the Pārsvanātha temple at Broach (ancient Bharukaccha, Bhrgukaccha) in the temple complex of the ancient Munisuvrata-svāmi temple. The image was kept in the adjoining temple of Munisuvrata, otherwise known as Sakunikāvihāra-tīrtha. Since the whole temple complex is currently being rebuilt from the foundation upwards, the bronze has been temporarily shifted and worshipped in the neighbourly Ajitanātha Jaina temple. The image, has an inscription at the back (Plate 4) which reads :
line 1. Om Nagendra kule Sri Vijayatungācā. line 2 - ryya gacche Acchuptā ganinya devadharmmoline 3 - yam Saka Samvat 930 || 0 || 1!
line 4 - Govindena ghațiteyam In translation: "Om. This is the religious gift of Gaņinī Acchuptă of śri Vijayatungācārya-gaccha. Śaka Year 930 (A. D. 1008). The image has been fashioned by Govinda." In this example, we get the name of the artist who cast and fashioned this elegant bronze. The image shows a central contemplative Jina figure wearing a loin garment sitting in the padmasana on a silver studded cushion placed on a simhasana with an inverted viśva-padma on top. A standing Tirthankara wearing a dhoti flanks on either side of the central Jina. And flanking each of these two Jinas is a camaradhara standing on a lotus. On a lower level, but still placed on the pedestal, is the twoarmed Sarvānubhūti alias Sarvāṇha Yaksa sitting in front of the flywhisk-bearer on the right and a two-armed Yaksī Ambikā in front of the flywhisk-bearer on the left side. Celestial garland-bearers and other prātiharyas can be discerned at the top on the flanks of the decorated halo as well as the triple umbrella of the central Jina. The rendering of the elegantly postured camaradharas, standing as they do in tribhanga, the equipoised and well-proportioned body of the central Jina, the artistically rendered back-seat and the halo etc. consequence in an arresting composition and thus is a fine example of the art of metal sculpting. Very probably, the image was fashioned in Bharuch itself where it seems to have been originally installed. The image is well-preserved, excepting for a little minor damage. The faces of some of the figures are partially worn out due to daily lustral ceremony and cleansing