Sumati Jnana

Author(s): Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala

Page 54

Jaina Remains from Agra Region
31
Survey of India and Aligarh Muslim University under the national project. A few fragmentary Jaina sculptures and some architectural members were discovered from the excavation. Further archaeological excavations conducted at the site during the field season 1999-2000 by Archaeological Survey of India, Agra Circle, has revealed four cultural periods. Period I is datable to 6th to 8th century AD, Period II is datable to 9th to 12th century AD, Period III - 12th to 16th Century AD and Period IV is assigned to 16th to 18th century AD.' (also Sharma et al., 2001: 55-721°). Important results of the excavation include discovery of a Jaina temple belonging to Period II and thirty-five sculptures including the image of Sruti Devi Jaina Saraswati. Out of these, 31 sculptures were discovered from a Pit." There are 14 inscriptions mostly found on the pedestals of many of the sculptures. The Jaina sculptural remains from the excavations at Bir Chhabili Tila may be broadly classified into the following categories:
1. Jaina Tirthankara images
2. Yakhsi and Yaksha images
3. Image of Sruti Devi Jaina Saraswati
1) Jaina Tirthankara Images
The Jaina Tirthankara images discovered from Bir Chhabili Tila are found depicted in two postures viz.
i) Standing or Kayotsarga posture and
ii) Seated or Padmasana posture
i) Tirthankara in Standing or Kayotsarga posture
Five Tirthankara images in standing posture were discovered from excavations. Among them, two are of Adinatha, one of Sambhavanatha, one of Santinatha and one of Kunthunatha12. The iconography of these standing Tirthankara images are described below: Adinatha
The first image of first Jaina Tirthankara Adinatha (Rsabhanatha) measures 170 cm in height and 66 cm in width. The image, which was found in two pieces in a man made pit during excavation, fits together. Arms of the image are partly missing (Pl. 5.4). It has a beautiful parikara (stele) depicting row of miniature Tirthankaras twenty-four in numbers (chaubisi) on both sides of the main deity. Out of the Chaubisi nine figures are in seated posture and three figures are shown standing on either side. The standing figures, three on either side are shown above the shoulder level. The seated figures of Chaubisi are depicted from foot level to shoulder portion. A pair of chanwar-bearers (camaradhara) and Sravikas (female devotees) are depicted in the lower level. Srivatsa symbol is shown on the chest. Here Adinatha is shown wearing a lower garment tied by an auspicious knot at the waist (katibandha). The head portion of the image is shown with a decorated hallo (prabhamandala) at the back. The head has matted hair with an usnisa at the top. A chhatri (parasol) is depicted above the head. Flying gandharvas and one elephant are depicted on top corner on either side of the deity. Leaves of Asoka tree are also depicted. A three-line inscription and a bull symbol are