Jaina images of Bhairava Singhpur at Jeypore District Museum

The images collected from the village Bhairava Singhpur are displayed in the District museum at Jeypore^[1]. These images (Pls.LXXXIIA-LXXXIID) are discussed as follows-

Risabhanatha:

The figure of Risabhanatha (60x32x15cm) seated in dhyanamudra over a cushion covered with a cloth which is kept over the pedestal. His lanchana is carved in a smaller dimension over the cloth hanging in front of the cushion. His hairs are arranged in jatas and a few strands are fallen over his shoulders. The multi-petalled oval halo behind his head, chhatra, kevala tree and flying garland bearers over his head are also depicted. But the right portion of the slab is missing due to damage. Two bejeweled chauri bearers are flanked by the Tirthankaras on either side. A four armed Chakresvari displaying sword in upper right hand, disc in upper left hand, varadamudra with the lower right and the lower left hand is kept over left thigh. But, the features are quite indistinct. She is flanked by vigorous lion further by a kneeling devotee in left and seated Gomukha figure on the right corner.

Risabhanatha (DM-14):

The figure of Risabhanatha (58x28x10cm) has similar stylistic representation as described in the above images with minor changes. Male and female garland bearers, depiction of elephants at the top of the stone slab are clearly visible. A feature is not well marked in the previous image as it is partially broken at that portion. Here the lanchana bull is missing but the hair style of the Tirthankara and the presence of four armed Chakresvari along with Gomedha at the pedestal is enough to identify the image as the first Tirthankara Risabhanatha.

Risabhanatha (DM-25):

The figure of Risabhanatha (40x50 x10cm) is carved seated in dhyanamudra over a pedestal, flanked by two chauri bearers. His hair is arranged in jata style, the circular halo behind his head is decorated with a series of lotus flowers. Flying gandharvas with garlands are shown on either side of the Tirthankara at the top. The pedestal below the Tirthankara is shown with a figure of four armed Chakresvari flanked by spirited lions.

Risabhanatha (DM-36):

The figure of Risabhanatha (57 x30x09cm) is standing in kayotsarga posture over a lotus pedestal. He is flanked by well decked chauri bearers at the bottom and flying garland bearers at the top. His hair arranged in jata style a few strands of it are fallen over his shoulder. A circular halo decorated with lotus flower design is envisaged at the back side of the head of the Tirthankara and surmounted by chhatra and kevala tree.

Risabhanatha (DM-64):

The figure of Risabhanatha (72 x44x20cm) is carved seated in dhyanamudra over a pedestal. The image is crudely finished, devoid of significant representation of iconographical features of a Jaina Tirthankara except the depiction of bull, the lanchana of the Tirthankara in a low relief.

Tirthankara image (DM-12/47):

The Tirthankara is standing in kayotsarga posture but portion below his knee is missing. His hair is arranged in jata style and a circular halo is envisaged behind the head of the deity. The sacred umbrella and kevala tree are also seen above the head of the Tirthankara image.

Ajitanatha (DM-6):

Ajitanatha (35x35x10cm) is carved seated in dhyanamudra over a pedestal covered by a loin cloth. His lanchana elephant is shown in a smaller size at the hanging loin cloth just below the pedestal. But his upper part i.e. portion above the waist is missing. The panel below the Tirthankaras pedestal is replete with a six armed image of Ajitabala at the center and flanked by vigorous lions on either side. The Sasanadevi holds a sword in the uplifted right hand and shield/disc in the uplifted left hand. The lower two hands are in dhyanamudra keeping one above the over his lap while the middle two hands attributes are very difficult to identify due to erosion of the surface. Kneeling devotees with folded hands are depicted on the left corner of the pedestal while the right depicts a defaced pot bellied seated figure.

Parsvanatha (DM-10):

The image of Parsvanatha (25x15x10cm) is found in a very crude form. He is seated in dhyanamudra and a serpent hood is shown behind his head. Besides that no other iconographical features are noticed in the image.

Mahavira (DM-37): Mahavira (54x32 x12cm) is carved seated in dhyanamudra over a pedestal covered by a loin cloth. His lanchana lion is shown in a smaller size at the hanging loin cloth just below the pedestal. He has elongated earlobe and jata hair on his head. An alternatively circular halo of wheel design boarder with beaded boarder is noticed behind his head. The chhatra as well as kevala tree is also noticed above the halo. Flying garland bearer and an elephant is seen at the top right corner of the slab while the similar representation at the left is missing. The pedestal below the Tirthankara depicts four armed seated Sidhayika flanked by spirited lions at the center. She holds parasu and khadga in the upper right and left hand respectively and lower two hands displays varadamudra. A Yaksha image is depicted at the extreme right corner and a kneeling devotee with folded hands in the extreme left corner of the pedestal.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

R.P Mohapatra, op.cit.,1984.