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 163

Srutadevi and Vidyādevis
129
Gāndhāri
The Svetāmbara Gāndhārī is to be represented either as scated on a lotus and holding a staff and vajra or Varada, staff, Abhaya and Vajra.' Digambara goddess rides a tortoise and holds a disc and sword.2
We meet with the Svetāmbara Yakṣiṇi of the like name, who belonged to Nami. Her swan vehicle gave her the character of Sarasvati. The Yakşiņi Gāndhārī of the Digambaras rides a crocodile but the Vidyadevi Gāndhārī rides a tortoise. This latter point leads us to connect her with Yamunā, as the preceding Vidyādevi was suggested to be associated with Gargā.
Mahājvālā or Jvālāmālini
The text called the Acāradinakara of the Svetāmbaras describes this goddess as riding a cat but mcntions no attributes. The Nirvāņakalikā another text of the same sect describes her as riding a boar and holding many weapons without description.3 Images of Digambara type should ride a buffalo and bear such weapons as a bow, shield, sword and disc. 4 The Yakşiņi of similar name we find as attached to Candraprabha. The Svetāmbara Yakşiņi has a cat as her vehicle like the present goddess and the Digambaras' also has the common vehicle of a buffalo. The underlying idea of the Jvālāmālini representation seems to have been derived from the consort of Yama, whose symbol is a buffalo. The cat symbol is also held by a Brāhmaṇical deity named Şaşthi. It is, indeed, difficult to say which idea is older, the Jain or the Brāhmaṇic.
Manavi
According to one text, she has blue colour and sits on a 1. शवपत्रस्थितचरणा मुसलं वजच हस्तयोर्दधती। ____ कमनीयाञ्जनकान्तिर्गान्धारी गां शुभां दद्यात् ॥ .
Acaradinakara. १. चक्रासिभृत्कूर्मगनीलमूर्ते गृहाण गान्धारि तदध्रिगन्धम् ।
Pratisthäsäroddhāra. 3. महाज्वालां धवलवर्णां वराहवाहनामसंख्यप्रहरणयुतहस्ताम् ॥
Nirvāņakalika. 4. शुभ्रां धनुःखेटकखड्गचक्राद्युग्राष्टबाहु महिषाधिरूढाम् ॥
Pratisthäsäraddhāra.