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 117

80
Jaina Iconography
his twelve arms a bow, thunderbolt, noose, club, goad, Varada, arrow, fruit, garland, etc.'
In description and name, he seems to be a Jaina counterpart of Kārtikeya 'sis-faced'. The vehicle of Şadānana i.c. peacock is the same in both the cases. It is to be noted also that this Yakṣa is again nearly the same in all respects as the Sanmukha Yakṣa of Vimalanatha already described. The representation and the name (Kha--Indra) suggest the idea of a heavenly Indra, one of the Dikpalas. This Yaksa also holds a thunderbolt.
Kubera.
His iconographic marks common to both the schools of Jainism are rainbow colour, an elephant as vehicle, his eight hands and four faces. The Svetämbara Kubera Yakṣa holds distinctly, however, a Varada, axe, spear, Abhaya, citrus, sakti, club, and rosary The Digambara image has, instead, the attributes of a shield (phalaka ) bow, staff, lotus, sword, axe, noose, Varada-Mudra.3
As an illustration of the description, the figure of Kubera, in the sculpture of Mallinātha, in the Nagpur Muscum, (Fig. B. 18) may be cited. As usual, in important points, the figure is the material embodiment of the iconographic rules.
1.
रस्य जिननाथस्य खेन्द्रो यक्षस्त्रिलोचनः । द्वादशोरुभुजः श्यामः षड्मुखः शङ्खवाहनः ।।
Pratisthāsāra Samgraha, MSS.. Jaina Bhavana Arrah.
2. तत्तीर्थजन्मा कुबेरयक्ष इन्द्रायुधद्युतिः । चतुर्मुखो गजरथश्चतुभिर्दक्षिणैर्भुजैः ॥ वरदेन पर्शुशूलमृद्भ्यामभयदेन च । वामैः शक्तिमुद्गरकबीजपूराक्षसूत्रिभिः ॥
Mallināthacarita, Parva 8, Sarga 8..
3. मल्लिनाथस्य यक्षेशः कुबेरो हस्तिवाहनः । सुरेन्द्रचापसंवर्णश्चाष्टहस्तश्चतुर्भुजः ॥
Pratisthāsangraha (MSS. Arrah ).
Cr. सफलकधनुर्दण्डपद्मखड्गपरशुपाशवरप्रदाष्टपाणिम् । गजगमनचतुर्मुखेन्द्रचापद्युतिकलशाङ्कनतं यजे कुवेरम् ॥
Pratisthasaroddhāra.