Treasures from the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum

Author(s): L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 11

1 Adinatha
Bronze, Sirpur (W. Khandesh) Ca. 7th/8th Century A.D. 35.0 x 25.5 x 17.0 cms. Acc. No.463
1.
Gaccha Sravakah
Vidyadharanam
Nijakulatilakah
Sresthimukhyah Sriman tirthaisva (thesva) ranam niya (ja)- jina
(bha) Vanam Cakradevea (ddeva) Kosam Krtasam (sca) Snatrahetoscaturudadhi.
Adinatha, or Rshabhanatha, the first tirthankara, is seated in padmasana on a double lotus seat placed on an elaborate throne. The flanking figures of the yaksha and yakshi are lost except for their respective vehicles, the elephant (right) and lion. A vertical chakra seen in the centre of the throne is flanked by a bull on either side, being the distinctive symbol of Adinatha. In between the two legs of the simhasana there appears a decorative projection touching the ground where five out of the nine planets, navagrahas, are seated, while four appear on either of the two front legs. On the inside corners of the legs are seated a male on the right and a female on the left with one hand supporting the simhasana. The rear legs of the simhasanas are missing, two rectangular sockets on the asana at the back and a tenon with a hole for placing prabha. There is dark brown and reddish patination with eyes, urna and the srivatsa mark, inlaid with silver. The inscription, in Brahmi script, on the back of the pedestal reads:Fig. 1
Samana punyaparnau (parna?) nidhi (dhi)nvam (nam) Sasthaova Sam (sam) yutaulau (tosau) Jananya namanoharina (nam) Durggaka Khyah meaning "That Durgaka, the leader of merchants or the best of merchants, along with Sasthavva, erected a temple of jina and established a Devakosa i.e. a fund of Devadravya, or money to be spent for the lord, and also he made a lake, (vast) like the four oceans for bathing. Durgaka, the pride of his family,
was a Sravaka in the Vidyadhara Gaccha'. Published :U.P. Shah - Treasures of Jaina Bhandaras. L.D. Series 69, Ahmedabad. 1978. PP. 55-58, Col. plate, frontispiece and figs. 181-181 A.