Malva Se Prapt Achyuta Devi Ki Durlabh Pratimaye

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Malva se Prapt Achyuta Devi ki Durlabh Pratimaye" (Rare Statues of Achyuta Devi from Malwa) by Dr. Surendrakumar Arya, based on the provided PDF excerpt:

This article discusses the rare sculptures of the goddess Achyuta Devi, also known as Achchupta or Achchhumna, who is depicted riding a horse. While such images are uncommon in Indian Jain iconography, the author highlights three significant discoveries in the Malwa region.

Key Discoveries and Details:

• Ujjain Museum Statue: The first mentioned statue is housed in the Digambar Jain Archaeological Museum in Ujjain. Discovered underground in the village of Badnawar (historically known as Vardhamanpur) about 32 years prior to the writing of the article, this statue is carved from dark grey stone and bears an inscription. Its discovery helped resolve the debate about the location of Vardhamanpur, which is where the famous Harivansha Purana was completed by Acharya Jinsen and where the renowned Shantinath temple once stood.

  • Description: The Achyuta Devi statue depicts her seated on a horse, with four hands. The two right hands are broken. The upper left hand holds a shield, and the lower left hand holds the reins of the horse. Her right foot is in the stirrup, and the left foot rests on her thigh. The goddess faces forward, while the horse is turned to her left. She wears a necklace and earrings, with an aura around her face. Three Tirthankara statues in a seated posture are depicted nearby, and smaller Tirthankara statues are in the four corners.
  • Inscription: The inscription, dating back to Samvat 1226 (1172 CE), states that the statue was established in the Shantinath Chaityalaya of Vardhamanpur by members of the Goshal family (wife of Brahmadev Udeva and their family), dedicated to their family goddess, the revered Adyumna. This inscription confirms the historical significance of Badnawar as Vardhamanpur.

• Jhar Village Statue: A second statue of Achyuta Devi was found in Jhar village, approximately 45 km west of Ujjain on the Ujjain-Ratlam highway. This village likely had a large Jain temple, as other sculptures of deities like Indra, Yama, Varuna, Ishanya, and Nairritya carved in red stone were also found there.

  • Description: This statue, also carved in red stone, depicts the goddess riding a horse. Her ornaments are beautifully carved, and she clearly holds a sword and a shield. The other two hands are broken. The horse's depiction lacks artistic finesse. The goddess has an aura around her face, and a Tirthankara statue in a seated posture is depicted above her.
  • Dating: Based on its style and inscriptions on other statues found in the vicinity, this sculpture is estimated to be from the 12th century.

• Gandhawal Village Statue: The third statue of Achyuta Devi was found in Gandhawal village, a site rich with Jain remains, as well as Shaivite and Vaishnavite artifacts. Sculptures of Parshvanath, Abhinandananath, and Sumatinath in the Khadgasana (standing) posture, dating from the Paramara period, are found around the temple of Gandharvasen. The local museum houses about 65 Tirthankara statues.

  • Description: This Achyuta Devi statue is not inscribed.
  • Dating: Based on its artistic style, this statue is believed to be from the 10th century.

Other Mentions:

• The article also notes the existence of smaller bronze and brass statues of Achyuta Devi in Digambar Jain temples in the villages of Sundarsi, Jamner, and Pachor. A stone statue in Pachor is mentioned as being in a poor condition.
• The author mentions his involvement in a three-year archaeological survey in the Malwa region, undertaken by enthusiasts and organizations to collect Jain heritage, including sculptures, inscriptions, copper plates, and manuscripts. This survey has revealed the rich Jain archaeological wealth of Malwa in the medieval period, with Achyuta Devi's stone and metal sculptures being notable for their artistic beauty.

Mythological Context of Vidyadevis:

The article then delves into the mythological origins of Vidyadevis (goddesses of knowledge) in Jainism. It recounts how Lord Rishabhadeva renounced the world after witnessing the impermanence of life during an Apsara's dance. Later, when Nami-Vinami were requesting offerings from the Bhavanvasis (celestial beings), Indra Dharanendra, realizing their devotion, bestowed upon them the rulership of Vijayaadh mountain and the "Vidyakosh" (treasure of knowledge). Aditi Devi granted them eight classes of Vidyas, and Diti Devi provided another eight.

The text lists these sixteen classes of Vidyas and various specific Vidyadevis, including Achyuta, along with others like Rohini, Gauri, Gandhari, Jwalamalini, and Mahamanasi. The mention of Achyuta alongside these other Vidyadevis in the 30th chapter of Ashadhar's 'Pratishtha Saroddhar' (1228 CE) indicates that Achyuta Devi was recognized as a Vidyadevi and her images gained prominence during the 12th-13th centuries.

In conclusion, the article highlights the significance of the discovered Achyuta Devi statues from Malwa, shedding light on the regional artistic styles, historical contexts, and the evolving iconographic representation of this goddess within Jainism, particularly her association with the Vidyadevis.