Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal
by Shubha Majumder | 2017 | 147,217 words
This page relates ‘Planetary Deities type of Mahavira Sculpture’ of the study on the Jain Remains of Ancient Bengal based on the fields of Geography, Archaeology, Art and Iconography. Jainism represents a way of life incorporating non-violence and approaches religion from humanitarian viewpoint. Ancient Bengal comprises modern West Bengal and the Republic of Bangladesh, Eastern India. Here, Jainism was allowed to flourish from the pre-Christian times up until the 10th century CE, along with Buddhism.
Planetary Deities type of Mahāvīra Sculpture
[Full title: Tīrthaṅkara Mahāvīra (4): Planetary Deities type of Mahāvīra Sculpture]
The present image of Mahāvīra (Pl.XXXV.A) from Pakbirra is newly reported and the image bears the representations of planetary deities in the back-slab. The upper part of the right side back-slab is partially damaged. In this image the mūla-nāyaka obviously devoid of any worldly attire, has elongated ear-lobes, the matted locks of hair with pronounced uṣṇiṣa. A plain śiraścakra adorns the head of the saviour. This icon measures 63 cm x 44 cm x 11 cm. Apart from the usual attributes what is significant in this image is the depiction of the eight planetary deities on the projected section on the edges of the back-slab. The planetary deities are seated on double-petalled lotus pedestals depicting their respective attributes. Sūrya, Maṅgala, Bṛhaspati and Śani are on the right side of the Jina while on the left are Soma/Candra, Budha, Śukra and Rāhu. The Jina in his usual posture is quite sensitively modelled and stands on a double-petalled lotus seat placed on a tri-ratha pedestal. The lion lāñchana of the mūla-nāyaka, is neatly carved at the centre of the pañca-ratha pedestal between two crouching lions.