________________
140
The Temples in Kumbhāriyā
sector show Vidyādevī/Yakşi figures, the sixth rectangular showing an elephant (with a rider?).
61.
The sixth ceiling is designed similar to the preceding instance excepting the inner rectangular bears four panels, the fourth one showing standing figure of Yakṣa or Kșetrapāla, and there is a framed gaping hole, somewhat off the centre.
The seventh and the last ceiling in the row depicts in the two outer strips the events of Jina's life. The central unpanelled rectangular differs from the preceding two ceilings in that it depicts, on either side of the off-centre central framed hole four and three seated divinity figures.
The aforementioned four divinity figures in the last-noted ceiling include Kālidevī (?), Vairotyā, Nirvāni or Laksmi(?), and Sarasvati.
64. Similarly, the right hand side figures represent Gomukha Yaksa, Ambikā, and
Brahmaśānti Yaksa.
65.
Starting from the southern end, the first of the seven rectangular Samatala ceilings over the eastern aisle between the trika and the rangamandapa, shows an example which, from the standpoint of motifs, general composition, and treatment, is allied to those shown on Plates 60 and 61 which are among the seven that cover the western aisle. The difference between them and the one that is present here is that, instead of a double outer frame of animals and animal riders seen there, here a single outer frame is featured and has, moreover, a series of boxes showing adorers etcetera along longer axes and Yakṣīs, Vidyādevīs, and Yakşas in the panels inside the two shorter sides. The inner frame depicts a procession of cavaliers, palanquin-bearers etcetera which appear only in the case of one side, the remaining three sides show lay followers listening to an ācārya's pravacana or sermon. The central-most area shows six panels wherein are seen seated couples each in a pavilion instead of divinity figures that come to view in the former two ceilings, namely those noticeable on Plates 60 and 61. The decorative buckles at the panels, where the corners meet, are richer in detail and jewel like in appearance. These two ceilings which in order follow the preceding one, are very similar among themselves in terms of design. The design in each case consists of five long belts of boxes in linkage. Each one of the boxes in the outermost belt contains male or female attendant in the longer boxes, the shorter,
66
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org