Treasures of Jaina Bhandaras

Author(s): Umakant P Shah, Dalsukh Malvania, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 46

Notes on Art
comparing fig. 52 of a Ganadhara, from Santinatha caritra (Dehla, no. 11) dated1459 A.D., with fig. 51 of another Ganadhara from DB. no. 2991 discussed above and dated-1503 A.D. Similar differences in style and treatment of the same theme (of diksa of a Jina) can be observed by comparing fig. 56 from DB. no. 2992 (Cat. no. 430) with fig. 55 from DB. no. 2991 (Cat. no. 459). Fig. 67 of a Tirthankara from a manuscript of Bhagavati Curṇi (Cat. no. 462) d. V.S. 1582-1525 A.D. (DA.no.50) shows further deterioration. But the painting of Sarasvati riding on a big swan, from Bhagavati-sutra manuscript (DA. no. 46) is much more interesting and beautiful. The face of the goddess is shown, in three quarter profile, and the further eye does not much extend in space. The textile patterns and the design of the neck ornament have changed. Figure 68 of Sarasvati, riding on a peacock, with her face shown in complete profile shows further change in miniature painting. The small and partly shown figure at the back, carrying a big trident in one hand is a peculiar feature unknown to other representations of Sarasvati. This miniature is from a manuscript of Kirāt ārjuniya-mahākāvya, DA no. 141 assignable to c. 1700 A.D.
(cat. no. 488)
The Praśnaśakunavali (Cat. no. 472), assignable to c. 16th century A. D., illustrated in fig. 69, is in the usual tradition of showing the farther eye, extended in space, beyond the line of the face.
The Śrenika-Samyaktva-rāsa, Kantivijaya collection no. 4565, Jñanamandira, Baroda, is a new find (figs. 70-74) of considerable importance. The work was composed in V. S. 1603-1546 A.D. in Sri Santijina-Präsäda, on the Kumaragiri hill, built by Kumarapala, according to the colophon at the end of this manuscript, on folio 45 (see fig. 71). In the beginning, the author pays homage to Śri Hemavimala Sūri, in whose lineage he flourished, and then to 24 Tirthankaras, Sarasvati and Gautama Ganadhara. On the first folio of the text are found four small miniatures with labels of Śri Tirthankara-murti, Śri Gautamasvami, Śri Sarasvati and Śri Hemavimala Suri (see fig. 70). The background is in usual red of Jaina miniatures, while the body-colour in all cases is dull reddish yellow. The small figure of Sarasvati, with book, viņā, rosary and lotus in her four hands, is beautifully drawn. The format of the manuscript (size: 10.4 X 4.2 inches) shows that the manuscript belongs to the sixteenth century A.D., and the fact that at
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