Jainism and Karnataka Culture

SR No.: 011062
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S R Sharma
Publisher: Karnataka Historical Research Society Dharwar
Publication Year: 1940
Total Pages: 263
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 163

CONTRIBUTIONS TO LITERATURE, ETC.
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their inner face, is particularly note-worthy. (see photograph opposite. )
Yet Ellôrā forms one of a group; there are others, more ancient, further South. “When Buddhism was tottering to a fall”, observes Burgess, "the Jainas timidly at first in Dhārwār and the Dekkan, and boldly afterwards at Elūrā—asserted themselves as co-heirs to the Buddhists, with the Brāhmans".186 The caves at Ellôrā being thus of later date, are supposed to represent a decadent age in Jaina sculpture. The rock-cut style was only a passing episode in their architectural history and was dropped by the Jainas when it was no longer wanted. It has had no permanent effect upon their own peculiar style. “Notwithstanding this, however, the architects who excavated the two Sabhās at Elūrā,” says Burgess,“ deserve a prominent place among those, who, regardless of all utilitarian considerations, sought to convert the living rock into quasi-eternal temples in honour of their gods.” 187 There are similar excavations in the Deccan at Bädāmi, Aiholê, Dhārāśiva, Ankai, Pätan. Näsik and Junagad, as well as in the far South at Kulumulu or Kulugumalai in the Tinnavelly District. The caves at Dhārāśiva ( Osmānābād 37 miles N. of Sholāpur ) are perhaps the largest of these. The halls here are of considerable size, being 80 ft. deep and 79-85 ft. across, with eight cells in each of the side walls and six in the back, besides the shrine. In one is an image of Pārsvanātha with a seven-hooded serpent above him, seated on a throne, in jñāna-mudrā. Hanging from the east is a carved representation of rich drapery. In front of it was a wheel set edge-wise, with antelopes at each side. There are sārdūlas and other non-descript monsters as well.168 That at Aihoļé is two-storeyed with a number of halls attached, as at Ellôrā. From their appearance, as well as the presence of the
166 Burgess, op. cit., p. 510. 167 Ibid., pp. 511-12; cf. his Report on the Cave Temples in Western
India, p. 44 f. 168 Ibid., pp. 503-04 ; Fergusson, op. cit., pp. 18-19.
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