Dikpālas type of Candraprabha Sculpture

[Full title: Images of Tīrthaṅkara Candraprabha (5): Dikpālas type of Candraprabha Sculpture]

In the Jain images Dikpālas are frequently depicted. We are very fortunate that from Tiluri, Bankura district we have documented a finely executed dhyānāsana image of Candraprabha (Pl.XXVI.C) with Dikpālas. In this image Jina is in dhyānāsana posture and is finely executed. The Jina is seated on a double-petalled lotus placed over a high tri-ratha pedestal depicting his lāñchana, the crescent (candra), and figures of some ācārya and monks. The ācārya is seated in padmāsana their liṅga is invisible. The ācārya holds a book in his left hand, while his right hand is shown without any object. In front of the ācārya a sthāpanā (wooden stand) is visible and a monk seated near to the sthāpanā of an ācārya. Accepts these images there are some other images of ācāryas and monks and they are actively busy with their own works. The Jina with an uṣṇīṣa and elongated earrings is seated under a chatra (umbrella) which is excellently carved on the top of the stele. The deity is flanked by his two attendants or caurī-bearers. Two vidyādharas or garland-bearers are depicted on both sides of the top of the stele. This abraded image is made of sand stone and measures 70 cm x 38 cm. The artist has skillfully portrayed the meditative eyes of the Jina along with its well-carved Gandhara type uṣṇīṣa. On the back-slab of the image eight Dikpālas are depict, recognizable through their respective vehicles, arranged in a vertical row of four on either side of the Jaina. Due to the abraded condition of the image it is very difficult to describe the iconographic details of eight Dikpālas. The image may be assigned to c. eleventh century CE.

Except these images during our extensive field surveys in the different parts of our study area we have also able to document some completely damabged specimens of Tīrthaṅkara Candraprabha images. In these images only the pedestal portion are survived and at the centre of the pedestal lāñchana of the Jina is depict.

Among this variety we found a lower portion of an image of Tīrthaṅkara Candraprabha from Pakbirra and the remaining portion measures 39 x 36 x 16 cm. Only the feet of the mūla-nāyaka are presently survived (Bhattacharyya, Mitra & Bhowmick 1986: 145). Behind the lotus seat on the centre of the pedestal is a crescent, the lāñchana of the Jina. On the either side are two kneeling devotees, one holding a garland and other in namaskāra-mudrā. The sculpture is placed on a square architectural fragment having the figure of a crouching lion at each corner.

In Badra village we identified a broken icon of Candraprabha by virtue of the depiction of the crescent moon on its pedestal. The extant fragment measures 50 cm x 25 cm x 15 cm.