Gujaratni Ek Viral Dhatu Pratima

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gujaratni Ek Viral Dhatu Pratima" by Ravi Hajranis:

Book Title: Gujaratni Ek Viral Dhatu Pratima (A Rare Metal Idol from Gujarat) Author: Ravi Hajranis Publisher: Z_Nirgrantha_1_022701.pdf, Nirgrantha_2_022702.pdf, Nirgrantha_3_022703.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249339/1

This article discusses a rare metal idol discovered in the forest area of Gadhmau di, in the Dantta taluka of Banaskantha district, Gujarat. The idol was found by the Northern Circle division of the Gujarat State Department of Archaeology. For a long time, it remained unidentified, with speculation as to whether it depicted Lord Buddha or a Jain Tirthankara. The author, Ravi Hajranis, presents his research and conclusions on the identification, style, and dating of this significant artifact.

Challenges in Initial Identification:

The article first outlines why a precise identification of the idol was difficult initially:

1. Damaged Chest Area: A portion of the idol's chest was broken, making it impossible to determine if the characteristic Shrivatsa (a mark symbolizing prosperity) was present. The presence of this mark is crucial for distinguishing between Buddha and Jain Tirthankara images.
2. Similar Head Features: The idol's head displayed features common to both Buddha and Tirthankara sculptures, such as:
   • Clockwise curly hair.
   • Ushnisha (a cranial protuberance).
   • Elongated earlobes.
   • Three neck folds (Trivalli). These shared characteristics made identification based on the head alone inconclusive.
3. Lack of Inscriptions: The idol was not inscribed, meaning there was no textual evidence to aid in its identification or dating.

Description of the Gadhmau di Idol:

The article then proceeds to describe the idol, which measures 12.5 cm x 6.5 cm x 4 cm:

• Head Features: The head exhibits the aforementioned characteristic curls, ushnisha, elongated earlobes, and three neck folds, similar to other ancient Buddha or Jin sculptures.
• Facial Features: The deity has a slightly elongated, expressive, and radiant face, resembling that of a great ascetic. The downcast eyes suggest a meditative posture. These downcast eyes are noted as being different from the open, unblinking eyes found in some Akota sculptures. The serene Jin face conveys emotions of compassion, renunciation, and friendship. The eyebrows are arched, a stylistic feature found in older sculptures, including some Kshatrafa period works, and persisted in Western India up to the Chalukya (Solanki) period.
• Lips: The lips are beautifully sculpted with a gentle smile. They are compared to the lips of three Jin images preserved in the Patna Museum. While some Akota sculptures have a slightly thicker lower lip and a finely drawn, arched line for the upper lip, the Gadhmau di idol's lips, though different from Akota style, show a close resemblance to the Chausa sculptures.
• Halo and Seat: The idol has a halo behind the head or shoulders, which is described as simple, sometimes adorned with vyala (mythical beasts) or plain. The seat has two pillar-like supports and a carved vertical line in between, comparable to the supports found in Roda sculptures.

Crucial Points for Identification:

Two key factors ultimately led to the identification of the Gadhmau di idol:

1. Absence of Clothing: The idol has a well-proportioned body that is depicted without any clothing. Buddha idols are typically shown with the Sanghati (monastic robe). The absence of this robe makes it unlikely to be a Buddha idol. The author concludes that it is a Jain Tirthankara idol, specifically from the "Achala Kshapanaka" sect rather than the Shvetambara tradition.
2. Unusual Halo Design: The halo, which extends from behind the Tirthankara's head to the shoulders and is attached to the seat, does not run straight. Instead, it curves forward from the right side and partially wraps around the left side with notches (as seen in Figure 2). This design is suggestive of hooded serpents (Nagphana), strongly indicating that the idol represents Parshvanatha, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, who is traditionally depicted with serpents.

Dating and Significance:

Despite the overall graceful physique of Parshvanatha, the artist's rendering of the hair is considered somewhat small, a characteristic often seen in ancient sculptures. However, considering the uniform hair, the expressive facial features, the design of the halo behind the shoulders with its ancient style, the simplicity of the carving, and the distinctive style, the idol is dated to the early 7th century CE.

In conclusion, the Gadhmau di idol, identified as a rare Parshvanatha image from the Achala-Kshapanaka sect, is a significant addition to the corpus of metal sculptures from Gujarat.

Acknowledgements:

The author expresses gratitude to Shri Dinakar Mehta, Director of Archaeology, Gujarat State, Ahmedabad, for the idol's safekeeping and permission to use its image. The image itself is presented through the courtesy of the Archaeology Department. The article also includes references to previous works by the author and other scholars in art history.