Jaina Iconography

SR No.: 011018
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B Bhattacharya
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 247
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 108

Yaksas and Sasana-Devalās
case, betrays thus kingly magnificence. His goad is an instrument for driving the elephant. The symbol of a mongoose (Nakula) is curiously identical with the same symbol held by Jambhala, the Buddhist Kuvera of wealth.
Tumbara
He is attached to Sumatinatha Jina as an attendant Yakṣa. That his vehicle is Garuda is attested by the scriptures of both the sects of Jainism. His attributes according to the Svetambara iconography are: Varada, Sakti (spear) club and noose' whereas the Digambara variants are these: two snakes, fruit and Farada. The Digambara scripture gives him in addition a snake in the shape of a holy thread.
Except in the sculpture of Sumatinatha, no separate image of Yakṣas has up to the present been discovered.
Tumbara, in Hindu Literature is said to be the divine musician, a Gandharva. In Jaina pantheon, this aspect is completely changed for some reason or other; he changed his musical instrument for deadly weapons. Both he and his Yakṣiņi known as Puruṣadatta (among the Digambara) ride upon birds, his being Garuda, and the Yakṣini's red goose (Cakravāka). The Jina Sumatinatha, to whom they are attached, has also a red goose for his emblem.
Kusuma or Puspa Taksa
His characteristic symbol, according to the Svetāmbaras and Digambaras, is an antilope. Texts of both the sects, how
1. तत्तीर्थे तुम्बरुर्नाम श्वेताङ्गस्तार्क्ष्यवाहनः । दक्षिणी वरदशक्तिधरौ बाहू समुद्रहन् । वामौ बाहू गदाधरौ पाशयुक्तौ च धारयन् ।।
Hemacandra's Sumatinathacarita.
71
2. सर्पोपवीतं विषपन्नगोर्ध्वकरं स्फुरद्दानफलान्यहस्तम् । कोकाङ्कनम्रं गरुडाधिरूढं श्रीतुम्बरं श्यामरुचि यजामि ॥
Cf. सर्पद्वयं फलं धत्ते वरदः परिकीर्तितः ।
सर्पयज्ञोपवीतोऽसौ खगादिपतिवाहनः ।।
Pratisthāsāroddhāra, p. 67.
Vasunandi's Praliṣṭhāsārasamgraha, Arrah Jaina Collection.