Jainism in Odisha (Orissa)
by Ashis Ranjan Sahoo | 2015 | 106,639 words
This essay studies the presence of Jainism in Odisha or Orissa by documenting the Art, Architecture and Iconography of Jaina images, relics, structures and establishments from different districts. In Odisha, archaeological evidences show how Jainism flourished during the 1st century BCE during the reign of emperor Kharavela, stating that Jainism wa...
Iconography of Jain Gods and Goddess
For the study of Jain iconography of Odisha a standard chart of iconography of Jain gods and goddess in pan Indian context are given below along with iconography of each Jain image in Odisha discussed thoroughly one by one.
Table No. 2: Table Showing Iconography of Jain Tirthankaras
| Sl No. | Tirthankarara | Colour | Cognizance | Special Tree | Attendant Yaksha | Attendant Yakshini | Miscellaneous |
| 01 | Risabhanatha (Adinatha) | Golden | Bull and Dharmachakra | Nyagrodha(Indian banyan tree) | Gomukha Vehicle-Bull (Elephant) | Chakresvari Vehicle-Eagle | Bharata and Bahubali worshippers |
| 02 | Ajitanatha | Golden | Elephant | Kevala–vriksha (Special tree) | Mahayaksha Vehicle-Elephant | Ajitabala | Sagaracakri–chauri-bearer |
| 03 | Sambhavananattha | Golden | Horse | Sala tree (Shorea robusta) | Trimukha Vehicle-peacock | Duritari (Prajnapati) Vehicle-Buffalo, Peacock (?) | Satyavirya -chauri-bearer |
| 04 | Abhinandanatha | Golden | Ape | Priyangu or Sanashmajamule or Vesali | Isvara Vehicle-peacock | Kali or Vajrasarinkhala Vehicle-Lotus or Goose | Kayotsarga |
| 05 | Sumatinatha | Red. Golden | Curlew(Krauncha)or Red-goose (Chakravaka) | Priyangu | Tumburu | Mahakali (Purusadatta) Vehicle-Lotus | Mitravirya-Chauri-bearer |
| 06 | Padmaprabha | Blood-red | Lotus (Padma) | Srisa or Priyangu | Kusuma Vehicle-Deer or Bull | Syama Vehicle-Man or Horse | Yamadhyuti-Chauri-bearer |
| 07 | Supasrvanatha | Golden. Harita Pacche | Swastika | Sushira | Matanga (S), Varanadi (D), Vehicle–Elephant or Lion | Santi(S) Kati(D) Vehicle-Elephant | Dharmavirya–chauri bearer |
| 08 | Chandraprabha | White | Moon or crescent | Nagadrama | Vijaya Vehicle-Goose | Bhrkuti Vehicle-Lion, Bull or Cat | Danavirya-chauri-bearer |
| 09 | Suvidhinatha or pushpadanta | White | Dolphin (Makara) or crab | Naga or Malli | Ajita Vehicle-Tortoise | Sutari, Mahakalli(D) Vehicle-Bull(?) | Maghavataraya–chauri -bearer |
| 10 | Sitalanatha | Golden | Srivriksha (Wishing tree) or Asvatha (Ficus religiosa) | Vilva (Aegle marmelos) | Brahma Vehicle-Lotus | Asok, Manavi(D) Vehicle-Lotus | ————- |
| 11 | Sreyamsunmatha/ sreyamsanmatha | Golden | Rhinoceros or deer | Tumbara or Tindaka | Yakshesa(S) Yaksheswara (D) Vehicle–Bull | Manavi (S), Gauri (D) Vehicle–Lion or Bull | Raja TripistaVasudeva |
| I 2` | Vasupujya | Red | Buffalo | Patalika or Kadamba | Kumara Vehicle-Goose or Peacock | Garuda Yakshi (D) Vehicle-Horse or Serpent | Dirpista-Vasudeva-chauri-bearer |
| 13 | Vimalanatha | Golden | Boar | Jambu (Black berry) | Shanmukha Vehicle-Peacock | Vairoti Vehicle-Lotus | Svayambhu–Vasudeva-chauri bearer |
| 14 | Anantanatha | Golden | Hawk(S) Bear (D) | Asvattha | Patala Vehicle-Crocodile | Anantamati Vehicle-Lotus or Goose | Purushottama-Vasudeva-chauri bearer |
| 15 | Dharmanatha | Golden | Vajra-danda (Thunderbolt) | Dahiparna or Sapta-chhada | Kinnara Vehicle-Tortoise or fish | Kandarpa (S) Manavi (D) Vehicle–Horse, Lion or Goose | Pundarika-Vasudeva-chauri -bearer |
| 16 | Santinatha | Golden | Deer or Tortoise | Nandi Vriksha | Garuda (D) Vehicle–Boar or Bull | Mhamanasi (D), Nirvana (S) Vehicle-Peacock,Lotus or Lion | Raja Purushadatta chauri bearer |
| 17 | Kunthunatha | Golden | Goat | Tilakataru | Gandharva Vehicle–Goose or Deer | Vijaya (D) Vehicle–Peacock | Kundala–chauri bearer |
| 18 | Arantha | Golden | Nandyavarta or Fish | Mango tree | Mahendra Vehicle–Conch or Peacock | Vijayadevi Vehicle-Lotus or Goose | Govinda Raja-chauri bearer |
| 19 | Mallinatha | Golden | Water-jar | Asoka | Kubera Vehicle–elephant | Dharinipriya (S) Aparajita (D) Vehicle–Lotus or Goose | Raja Sulama-chauri bearer |
| 20 | Manisuvrata | Bluish–black (Indranila or syamavarna) | Tortoise | Champaka | Varuna Vehicle-Bull (?) | Naradatta (S) Bahrupini (D) Vehicle-Lion or Serpent | Ajita–chauri -bearer |
| 21 | Naminatha | Golden | Blue lotus or Asoka tree | Vakula | Bhrikuti Vehicle-Bull (?) | Gandhari (S) Chamundi (D) Vehicle–Goose?or Crocodile | Vijaya Raja-chauri-bearer |
| 22 | Neminatha | Bluish–black (Indranila or syama | Conch | Mahavenu or Vetasa | Gomedha (S) Sarvahana(D), Vehicle-Man or Horse | Ambika or Kushmandini(D) Vehicle-Lion | King Ugrasena-chauri bearer |
| 23 | Parsavanatha | Blue | Snake | Dhataki | Dharanendra | Padmavati Vehicle-Cock or Goose | Ajitaraja |
| 24 | Mahavira | Golden | Lion | Sala(Shorea robusta) | Matanga Vehicle–Elaphant | Siddhayika Vehicle-Lion or Goose | Srenika–chauri-bearer |
Table No. 3: Table Showing Iconography of Jaina Yaksha
| Sl. No. | Yaksha | Hands | Attributes in Hands | Vehicle | Colour | Miscellaneous |
| 01 | Gomukha | Four | R.h. -boon giving and rosary L.h. -noose (S) Battle-axe (D) | Bull | Golden | Attached to Risabhanatha. Digambaras assign Dharmachakra symbol to his head. Bull-face and bull as vehicle. Two types of images-one in the round and large in size; the other in miniature form attending on Adinantha. |
| 02 | Mahayakha | Eight | (S.) R.h. -boon-giving, club, rosary and noose L.h. -citrus, protection, goad and sakti | Elephant | Green (S) Golden (D) | (D.) L.h.- disc, trident, lotus, goad R.h. -sword, staff, axe, and boon-giving Four face Attendant of Ajitanatha |
| 03 | Trimukha | Six | (S.). R.h. -mongoose, club and protection L.h.-citrus, garland, and rosary (D.) R.h. -disc, sword, goad L.h. -staff, trident, dagger | Peacock | Dark blue(Syama) | Three faces. Separate sculptures not found. Seen in the miniature form. Attendant of Sambhavanatha. |
| 04 | Yakshesvara | Four | (S.) R. h. -citrus, and rosary L.h. -mongoose and goad (D.) -bow shield, arrow and sword | Elephant | Blue or dark-blur | Attendant of Abhinandana. No separate sculptures are found but sculptures of Abhinandana include figurines of Yaksheshvara, King of Yaksha. |
| 05 | Tumburu | Four | S. -boon–giving, spear (Sakti), club and noose. D. -two snakes, fruit, and boon-giving | Eagle(Garud a) or a lion | Dark–blue or golden. | Attached to Sumatinatha. In Hindu literature Tumburu is a divine musician. His Yakshini is Purushadatta (D). Her vehicle is red goose. |
| 06 | Kusuma or puspa | Four | (S.) R.h. -fruit and the posture of protection pose L.h. -rosary and mongoose (D.) -lance, boon-giving posture, shield and protection pose | Antelope or bull | White or dark | Antelope symbolises quickness in movement. |
| 07 | Matanga or varanandi | Four | S. -Bilva fruit, noose, mongoose, and goad D. -Staff, spear, Swastika and flag | Elephant (S) Lion (D) | Blue or black | Matanga is elephant-rider. The Digambara texts mention only two of his hands with a trisula and a danda |
| 08 | Vijaya or shyama | Four | D. -Fruit, rosary, axe and boon giving pose S. - Two hands hold disc and club | Swan | Dark–blue | Sculptures of Chandraprabha include the figures of Syama Yaksha. One of the earliest images of Syama in the round has been found at Aihole. |
| 09 | Ajita | Four | S. -Citrus, rosary, mongoose and spear D. -Sakti, boon giving posture, fruit and rosary | Tortoise | White | ——————- |
| 10 | Brahua | Four or eight | S. -Citrus, club, noose, protection, mace, goad and rosary D. -Bow, staff, sword, shield, boon-giving, etc. | Lotus seat | White | He is also attributed with four faces, three eyes. |
| 11 | Ishvara | Four | S. -Mongoose, rosary, staff, fruit D. -Trident, staff, rosary, and fruit | Bull | White | Three eyes. His Yakshini is Gauri (D) or Manavi (S).He rides an elephant. Yaksha of Sreyamasynatha |
| 12 | Kumara | Four (S) Six (D) | D. -Bow, ichneumon club, fruit and boon giving posture S. -Citrus, arrow, mongoose and bow | Swan | White | Digambara texts attributed to him three heads and six hands |
| 13 | Shanmukha or chaturmukha | Eight or twelve | S. -Fruit, disc, arrow, sword, noose, rosary, mongoose, discus, bow, fruit, goad and protection pose D. -Axe, scimitar, rosary, shield, staff, etc. | Peacock | White or Dark-blue | Four and six headed. Has the designation and attributes of Kartikeya. |
| 14 | Patala | Six | S. -Lotus, sword, noose, mongoose, fruit, rosary D. -Goad, spear, bow, rope, plough and fruit | Dolphin or Makara | Red | Three faces. A canopy of three-hooded snake. Presiding sprit of the Nagas |
| 15 | Kinnara | Six | S.—Lotus, citrus, mongoose, rosary, mace, protection pose D. -Disc, thunderbolt, goad, club, rosary, and boon-conferring posture | Tortoise (S), Fish (D) | Red | Three faces |
| 16 | Garuda | Four | S. -Citrus, lotus, mongoose, rosary D. -Lotus, fruit, thunderbolt and discus | Bull or Boar or Elephant or Garuda | Blue or Dark-blue | Attendant of Santinatha |
| 17 | Gandharva | Four | S.- Boon giving, noose, citrus, goad D.- Snake, noose, bow and arrow | Bird or Swan(S) | Dark blue | ——————————————— |
| 18 | Khendra or yakshendra or jaya | Twelve | S. -Citrus, arrow, sword, club, noose, Abhaya, bow, mongoose, fruit, spear, goad and rosary. D. -Bow, thunderbolt, noose, club, goad, boon-giving conferring posture, fruit, arrow, garland, etc. | Conch or Peacock | Dark-blue or Blue | Six faces, three eyes and ten hands are attributed to him by some texts. |
| 19 | Kubera | Eight or twelve | S. -Varada, axe, spear, abhaya, citrus, sakti, club and rosary. D. -Shield, (Phalaka), bow, staff, lotus, sword, arrow, axe, noose, varada | Elephant | Kunkum or red or rainbow colour | Four faces. |
| 20 | Varuna | Four (D) Eight (S) | S. -Citrus, mace, arrow, spear, lotus, mongoose, bow and axe D. -Shield, sword, fruit, boon-giving pose | Bull and Makara | White | Three–eyed matted hair |
| 21 | Bhrikuti | Eight | S. -Citrus, spear, mace, abhaya, axe, mongoose, vajra, rosary D. -Shield, sword, bow, arrow, goad, lotus, disc, boon conferring posture | Bull | Red | Four faces. This Yakhya is also called Nandiga and seems to have connection with Nandi, the vehicle of Siva. |
| 22 | Sarvana or gomedha | Six | S. -Citrus, axe, mongoose, trident, spear D. -Hammer, axe, staff, fruit, thunderbolt and boon-giving posture | Man or a Flower | Dark–blue | Three faces. Also known as Pushpayana. (This means he has flower as his vehicle). |
| 23 | Parshva or dharanendra | Four | S. -Ichneumon, snake, citrus, snake D. -Snake, nose, boon giving posture | Tortoise | Black or Blue | Also a snake canopy over head. |
| 24 | Matanga | Two | S. -mongoose, citron D. -Boon giving posture and fruit | Elephant | Blue or Green | Dharmachakra symbol on his hand. |
Table No. 4: Table Showing Iconography of Jaina Yakshi
| Sl. No. | Yakshi | Hands | Attributes in Hands | Vehicle | Colour | Miscellaneous |
| 01 | Chakresvari | Eight | S.- varada arrow, disc, noose, bow, vajra(thunderbolt), disc, goad D. -4 or 12. If 4, holds 2 discs. If 12 eight discs, citrus, varada and two vajras | Eagle | ————- | Sasanadevi of first Tirthankara. Resembles Vaishnavi (Vshnu-Chakresvara) |
| 02 | Ajita or rohini | Four | S. -varada, noose, citron, goad. D. -varada, abhaya, conch, disc | Iron seat (D.) Bull (S.) | ————- | Connected with Jina Ajitanatha. Ajita means invincible. |
| 03 | Duritari (S.) or parajnapati (d.) | Four OR Six | S. -varada, rosary, fruit, abhaya pose D. -axe, crescent, fruit, sword and varada pose | Ram (S.) Bird (D.) | ————- | Duritari connected with wife of Agni. Conception of Prajapati derived from Saravasti (S.). |
| 04 | Vajra-srimkhala (d.) or kali (s.) | Four | S. -varada, noose, snake & goad D. -snake, noose, rosary, fruit | Swan (D.) Lotus (S). | ————- | Yakshini abinandana. She is both Yakshini and Vidya-devi. |
| 05 | Mahakali (s.) or purusadatta (d.) | Four | S. -varada, noose, citrus, goad. D. -Disc, vajra, fruit, varada pose | Lotus (S.) Elephant (D) | ————- | ————- |
| 06 | Achyuta or syama (s.) & manovega (d.) | Four | S. Varada vina, bow, abhaya pose D. -Sword, lance, fruit and varada pose | Man (S) Horse (D) | ————- | May have originated from Achyuta or Vishnu. |
| 07 | Santa (S.) or kali (d.) | Four | D. -varada, trident, fruit, bell. S. -varada, rosary, lance, abhaya pose | Elephant (S.) Bull (D.) | ————- | Wife of Matanga. Also Vidya-devi |
| 08 | Bhrkuti (s.) or jvalamalini (d.) | Four or Eight | S. -sword, club, spear, axe. D. - disc, arrow, noose, shield, trident, sword, bow, etc. | Cat (S.) Buffalo (D.) or Swan | ————- | ————- |
| 09 | Sutra (s.) or mahakali (d.) | Four | S. -varada, rosary, urn, goad. D. -vajra, club, fruit & varada pose | Bull (S.) Tortoise (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 10 | Asoka (s.) ot manavi (d.) | Four | S. Varada, noose, fruit, goad. D. -fruit, varada, bow etc. | Lotus (S.) Hog (D.) | ————- | Also a Vidya–devi |
| 11 | Gouri (Dig) or manavi (s.) | Four | S. Varada, club, urn,goad D. -club, lotus, urn, varada pose. | Lion (S) Antelope (D) | ————- | Originated from Gauri, wife of Siva |
| 12 | Chnda (s.) or gandhari (d.) | Four | S. -Varada, spear, flower, club. D. Club, two lotuses and varada pose | Horse (S.) Crocodile (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 13 | Vidita, vijaya (s.) or vairoti (d.) | Four | S.—arrow, noose, bow, snake. D. -two snakes, bow, arrow | Lotus (S.) Snake (D.) | Yellow | Vairoti is also a Vidya-devi, Vidita means “learned one” |
| 14 | Amkusa (s.) or anantamati (d.) | Four | S. -sword, noose, spear, goad D. -bow, arrow, fruit, varada pose | Lotus (S.) Swan (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 15 | Kandarpa (s.) or manasi (d.) | Four or Six (D.) | S.–lotus, goad, lotus & abhaya pose D. -lotus, bow, varada, goad, arrow, lotus | Horse or fish (S.) Tiger (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 16 | Nirvani (s.) or mahamansi (d.) | Four | S. -book, lotus, vase, lotus bud D.—disc, fruit, sword (?), varada pose | Lotus (S.) Peacock (D.) | ————- | Mahamanasi means “great goddess of learning”. This seems to connect her with Sarasvati. |
| 17 | Bala (s.) or vijaya (d.) | Four | S. -citron, spear, musandi, lotus D.—conch, sword, disc & varada pose | Peacock (S.) Black boar (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 18 | Dharani (s.) or tara (d.) | Four | S.- citrus, two, lotus, rosary D. -snake, vajra, deer, varada pose | Lotus (S.) Swan (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 19 | Vairoto (S.) or aparajita (d.) | Four | S. -varada, rosary, citrus, sakti D. -citrus, sword shield, fruit, varada pose | Lotus (S.) Lion (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 20 | Naradatta (s.) or bahurupini | Four | S. -varada, rosary, citron, trident (Or urn) D. -shield, fruit, sword, varada pose | Bhadrasana (S.) Black snake (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 21 | Gandhari (s.) or chamunda (d.) | Four | S. -varada, citron, sword, spear Dig.-rosary, shield, staff, sword | Swan (S.) Dolphin (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 22 | Ambika (s.) or amra (d.) | Four | S. -mongoose, noose, child, goad D. -Mangoose and child | Lion (S.) Lion (D.) | ————- | ————- |
| 23 | Padmavati | Four | S. -lotus, noose, fruit, goad D.- goad, rosay, two lotus | Snake & cock (S. & D.) lotus (D.) | ————- | Dig. I. Six-handed; noose: sword, spear, crescent, club, staff Dig.II. 24-handed: conch, sword, wheel, crescent, lotus, blue lotus, bow, spear, noose, kusa-grass, bell, arrow, staff, shield, trident, axe, vajra, garland, fruit, club, leaf, stalk & varada pose |
| 24 | Siddhyayika | Four | Book, abhaya pose, citrus & lute. | Lion | ————- | ————- |