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 138

Taksinis
103
which hold, in turn, Farada Mudra, sword. citron and spear (kota).1 The Cammyda or Digambara form of the same Yakșini is represented in their way as riding on a dolphin and carrying in her hands a rosary, staff, shield and sword.
This pair of names (viz. Gandhari and Camuṇḍā) has already occurred in connexion with the Yakṣini of Vāsūpūjya. There seems to have been some mysterious transposition of these deities. In the case of Vāsupūjyā Canda is Svetāmbara Yaksinī, whereas Gāndhari, who is Svetambara here was Digambara there. Gandhari there rides a dolphin as Camunda rides the same animal in the present case. The Yakṣini Gandhari we describe now, assumes such symbols (for instance swan, Varada, citron) as would make her partly a Vidyadevi and partly a Yakşini. Her Digambara counterpart Camunda is also called Kusuma-mālinī and as such, her dolphin symbol may be justified because Kusumamāli or kama has the same symbolical mark (Makar :- ketana ) " .
Ambikā (Kusmūndi ) or Amrā
This Yakşini of Neminatha has the Svetämbara description of a goddess, who rides a lion and bears a bunch of mangoes, nose, a child and goad. 4 The Digambara image of the Yaksinī
1. तथैव देवी गान्धारी श्वेताङ्गी हंसवाहना ।
दोर्भ्यां वरदखड्गिभ्यां दक्षिणाभ्यां विराजिता । वामाभ्यां बीजपूरिभ्यां बाहुभ्यामुपशोभिता ।।
Hemacandra's Neminathacarita.
Cf. गान्धारीं देवीं श्वेतां हंसवाहनां चतुर्भुजां वरदखङ्गयुक्तदक्षिणभुजद्वयां बीजपूरकुन्तयुतवामपाणिद्वयां ।
Nreānakaka (MSS. Jñānamandira, Agraj.
2. चामुण्डा देवता भीमा हरिद्वर्णा चतुर्भुजा । प्रक्षसूत्रं च यष्टि च धत्ते मकरवाहना ।।
Pratisthāsārasangraha (MSS. Arrah).
Cf. चामुण्डा यष्टिखेटाक्षसूत्रखड्गोत्कटा हरित् । मकरस्थार्च्यते पञ्चदशदण्डोन्नतेशभाक् ।।
Pratisthāsāroddhara.
3. An inscribed iinage with name is in the "Paitini Temple” Uchnera. 4. तत्तीर्थजन्मा स्वर्णकान्तिः सिंहवाहना ग्राम्रलुम्बि (?) पाशसंयुक्तदक्षिणकरद्वया पुत्राङ्कुशसहितवामकरद्वया कुष्माण्डीतिद्वितीयनामधारिणी अम्बिका प्रभोः शासनदेवी समभवत् ।
Gunavjaya gani's Neminatha Caritra (Nirnayasagar Press)