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Representation of Nature in Jaina Art and Tradition
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Pārsvanātha temple is specially rich so far as the figures of Vyālas (leogryphs) are concerned. Although Vyālas are mythical animal but they look like a powerful lion to suggest the royal power of the rulers. These Vyālas mostly having the face of a lion (grotesque) sometimes have the faces of an elephant or a parrot or a horse and also of human being. Under the feet of the roaring Vyālas figures of warriors are shown, who hold sword and rides a horse. They are in the attitude of fighting the Vyālas. These representations are forceful.
Of the 24 Jinas, 13 are represented at Khajuraho, the most important being Rşabhanātha, Pārsvanātha and Mahāvīra. They are invariably shown respectively with bull, snake (as seven hooded snake canopy) and lion. While the Jinas are shown with lāñchana, a good number of Brahmanical deities on Khajuraho Jaina temple make an important point of study in respect of harmony revealed • through Jaina temples at Khajurāho. The deity like Kāmadeva is shown with Pañchaśara (five arrows made of flowers) and Ikșudhanu (bow of sugarcane). The figures of Yaksis like Cakreśvarī on the doorways and outer wall or adhisthāna of Jaina temples, shown with garuda (eagle) vāhana and Ambikā with āmralumbi (bunch of mangoes) in hands and shade of mango tree above the head alongwith lion mount are also noteworthy. Another popular Yakși Padmāvati, is the snake goddess, holding snakes in hands and having snake canopy.
Khajuraho sculptures as pointed out by my teacher Prof. Maruti Nandan Tiwari, reveal that the artists / patrons had special fascination for lotus flower which has been shown in the hands of all the deities irrespective of the fact whether or not lotus was to be shown with them. The variety of the lotus rendering is also tremendous.
Another interesting representation is to be seen in the forms of the Apasarās or beautiful damsel figures, which look to be the combination of heavenly and earthly beauty. The tree foliage is
