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120 ACARYA VIJAYAVALLABHASURI COMMEMORATION VOLUME
northern side, that is Nevāsā Budruk, two stone images of Jaina Tirthankaras (Fig. 3). The lower parts of both the images are broken, but since the upper part of one, with a canopy of seven cobra hoods survives, it is possible to identify it as the figure of the 23rd Tirthankara Pärsvanatha. Both stood in Käyotsarga pose.
It is interesting to note that the Maheshwar as well as the Nevāsā images are Digambara. It is well known that Digambara Jainism was patronized by the Western Chalukyas, Râştrakūtas, the Hoysalas and the Yadavas. Since no structural monuments of the first two dynasties are hitherto known from the Deccan, it is likely that the images in question belong to the mediaeval period, that is after 1,000 A. D. From the existence of the Jaina caves belonging to the Digambara School at Tringalvāḍi" and at Chandor2 in the Nasik district of the early (?) Yadava period, it is possible to say that Digambara Jainism was in a flourishing state at this period in the Deccan. And the Nevasã figures should belong to this period.
2. Cousens, Henry, Mediaeval Temples of the Dakhan, ASI., Imperial Series, Vol. XLVIII, (Calcutta, 1931), pp. 48-50, pl. LXV.
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