Image title: Number 9: Tirthankara Rishabhanatha

This is the image of Jain Tirthankara Rishabhanatha of the Pancatirthika type. Jina stands in kayotsarga posture, on a double-petalled lotus placed on a panca-ratha pedestal. At the centre of the pedestal, the bull lanchana is minutely carved along with two crouching lions at both ends of the pedestal. The mula-nayaka is flanked by two male cauri-bearers standing in abhanga posture on their respective pedestals and their left hands are in katyavalambita posture and the right hands hold fly-whisks. The back-slab also contains four miniature Jinas standing in kayotsarga posture on double-petalled pedestals, two in either side of the mula-nayaka. The finely carved mula-nayaka bears a svelte figure, a lucid expression and the Yogic or spiritual power is successfully reflected. He has the usual jatajuta and kesha-vallari and an elliptical shirashcakra embellished with beads and line border devices. Two flower motifs (containing two leaves and a flower) are neatly carved as issuing out from the upper part of the shirashcakra on its either side. These motifs could be the stylized rendering of the caityavriksa of the Tirthankara. The tri-linear chatra is present above the shirashcakra. It is made of black basalt and measures 57 x 26 x 10 cm. On stylistic consideration, the image is assignable to circa 10^th–12^th centuries CE.

Gallery information:

These photographs accompany the study on Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal based on the fields of Archaeology, Art and Iconography. Jainism represents a way of life incorporating non-violence and approaches religion from humanitarian viewpoint. Ancient Bengal represents the modern state of West Bengal and the Republic of Bangladesh, situated in the eastern part of the Indian sub-continent. Here, Jainism was allowed to flourish from the pre-Christian times up until the 10th century CE, along with Buddhism.