40. Iconography of Jainism

The Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa refers to images of siddhas and gods. The important reference being that to the image of Jivamtasami at Ujjain 4. Full descriptions of images helping the 1. Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 33. 3. Ibid., 107. 4. Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 61. 2. Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 369. According to Hamsaraja Shastri, literary tradition about Jivantasvami image at least goes to the third century prior to Vikrama's Samvat. See his article, *Jina pratima aur Jainacarya" (Hindi), in AVVSG.

599 knowledge of contemporary iconography, however, are not met with, except some allusions in similes, as to Siri living On a lotus 1 or Vasumati surrounded by disadevatas 2 and bodily descriptions of Usabha³ and Bahubali'. Some of the descriptions of gods in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa furnish us with some details regarding their iconography. The Titthayaras : Titthayara Aritthanemi, like other Titthayaras has been described as bearing on his chest the sirivaccha mark 5. mark 5. The images of the saviours had pleasing god-like appearance (madhuradevacchamdagaya) were seated on the lion-throne, of the height of a couch (pariyamkasamusseha) and had all the necessary marks ssary marks (puva Lakkhanayatta) The saviours, as in the case of the Sambhavasami's image in the temple of Savatthi 7, were depicted in the Kayotsarga posture 8. 1. Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasa, 27. 3. Ibid., 162. 5. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.230a. 7. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, I.lla. 2. Ibid., 180. 4. Ibid., 187-88. 6. Ibid., II.87a. 8. The image in the Amgamanadirujjana of Campa dedicated to Vasupujja has been referred to as kayakausagna; Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa 1.6a.

600 Baladeva-Vasudeva : There is no reference to the images of these two; n but their description as those wielding plough, couch, discus¹ mace and discus corresponds with the iconographic details of Sankarsana and Krsna of the Hindu mythology². Dharana : King of Serpents : Dharana, the king of the Nagas in the Jaina mythology, was shown of fair complexion, with nine (atthahiya) hoods, and with a tongue split like that of a serpent Another Naga god, who was the presiding deity of 4 a pool (harada) is described + as wearing shining earrings kumdala) of gold, a crown and eight hoods (addh (ttha)phada vikahasamkadukkada maudo) and holding the illustrious shield and the sword (khaggakhedayarayanakattho 5). He was 1. Ibid., II.230a. 2. Of the attributes given above, the plough is associated with Balarama, while the rest with Visnu of whom Krsna is an incarnation. See Banerjee, The Development of Hindu Iconography, pp. 401, 423. 3. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 1.30b. 4. Ibid., 108ab. 3 5. The association of the shield and the sword with Nagas is also to be noted in the Hindu Mythology. According to Silpa paratnam (Adhyaya 5) Nagas are to be depicted as having a hood or hoods of odd number upto nine. They are also to be depicted as having a sword (khadga) and a shield (carma) in their hands.

601 flanked on both the sides by Nagas goddesses who held a parasol, pitchers (bhimgarakakkarikalasahattha) and musical instruments which were played to the tunes of the praise sung to him. Siri : Goddess Siri was associated with the lotus 1. Rati and Kama : Goddess Rati was depicted in a temple dedicated to kama in a painting 2. Jakkhas : King Ayala has been compared in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa as wearing an earring in his left ear like a Jakkha The Sun : Vasudeva flanked on both sides by his wives has been compared to the Sun god flanked by two lotuses (nalini) 1. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 1.2lab. See also Banerjea, Op.cit., P. 374. 2. Ibid., II.31b. 3. Ibid., II.228b. 4. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 1.3b. Images depicting the Sun god with two -25 lotus in his two hands are to be noticed from Gupta period onwards; Banerjea, Op.cit., P. 435.

Madhumathana form of Visnu : 602 Eight maidens have been described as eight arms of Madhumathana' 1 The Goddess of Pulimdas: Durga : Accimalini, a Jakkhini, appeared before the Pulimdas in the form of their goddess to rescue Vasudeva from them. The goddess had eight arms in which sword (asi), axe (parasu). trident (sula), savvala (?), mace (gada), a crooked club (bhimdimala) and a golden pitcher 2. The goddess as the description reveals, was probably Durga. Ghosts : A belief in ghosts (Vedala) and black magic is also revealed in the story of Vayuvega, a Vijjadhara in the Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa 1. The Ms. reads mahuramahana;Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, 1.52a. Madhusudana is one of the 39 incarnatory forms of Visnu given in the Satvata Samhita; Banerjea, Op.cit.,TH.391. 2. Vasudevahindi by Dharmadasa, II.24a. Durga was worshipped by Pulindas. Depiction of Durga Mahisasuramardini with eight arms is to be noticed in the sculptures of Aihole (6th-7th Cent.A.D.) and Haripur. See Banerjea, Op.cit., P.492, 499.

603 His foe, on the strength of his magical powers, directed a ghost to act as an assasin. Vasudeva protected him with the help of a divine herb which dispelled the ghost. The ghost is described as traversing in the air with a tremendous speed towards his target, brandishing a sword¹.