Art Notes on Sculpture

Ornamentation in Temples and Palaces Dhanapala describes richly detailed sculptural elements, such as: • Pillars: e.g. Dantavalabhika, Satakumbha-stambha (hundred-pot pillar), Sphatika-stambha (crystal pillar), Ayatana-stambha. • Toranas (gateways): e.g. Makara-torana, Prakanda-torana. • Platforms and Balustrades: e.g. Rsjata-vedika (silver platform). These illustrate sophisticated temple and palace architecture with rich decoration. ________________________________________ Furnishings in Temples and Palaces Dhanapala also describes luxurious furniture: • Lion-thrones with gold sheets or golden stone. • Jewelled bedsteads, golden saddles, silver mirrors. • Detailed thrones (Asandi, Sukhāsana) with moonstone inlays. These details highlight the royal patronage and lavish artistic sensibility in Jain contexts. ________________________________________ Iconography • Dhanapala gives rich descriptions of Jaina Tirthankara images, especially of Rsabhanatha (first Tirthankara) and Mahavira (last). Rsabha's Image: o Carved from philosopher's stone. o Seated in padmasana posture on a lion-throne with constellation motifs. o Distinct features: long hair with foliage decoration, serene expression, halo, divine attendants. Mahavira's Image: o Carved in diamond-like stone. o Seated on a large golden throne. o With motifs of elephant, lion, and wheel on the throne’s base. • He also notes the Samavasarana/Samavasrti-sala—a cosmic preaching hall motif found in temple art (like Abu's Vimala Vasahi temple): o Features halo, clouds, constellations, Mount Meru with milk ocean imagery. • Mentions subsidiary shrines with other Tirthankara images and even Goddess Sri carved from wood in a royal garden. • Includes small roadside shrines with images of gods as guardians, bracket female figures (shalabhanjika) carved with full breasts for aesthetic appeal. ________________________________________ Yantras (Mechanical Devices) Dhanapala also describes early mechanical contrivances: • Ghana-yantra: A water-wheel with pots on ropes to lift well water (still used in Gujarat). • Candrakara-cakra-dola-yantra: Possibly a rotating carousel-like device. • Vimana-yantra: A wooden “aeroplane” (probably a ceremonial or decorative flying machine model). • Yantra-dhara-grha: A shower-room with walls that spouted water jets for cooling, much like modern cooling towers. These references show the advanced engineering imagination in 10th-century India.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.