Sevadini 2 Jain Sarasvati Pratimao

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Sevadini 2 Jain Sarasvati Pratimao" by Ravi G Hajarnis:

The article discusses two Jain Sarasvati images found in the Jain temple of Sevadi, located in southern Rajasthan, near the Arbuda mountain. Sevadi was anciently known as Shamipati.

Sarasvati in Jainism:

• In Jainism, Sarasvati is revered as the "Shruta Devi" or "Shruta Devta," the goddess of knowledge.
• Jain texts describe Sarasvati as having four arms. The four hands typically hold a lotus, a veena, a book, and an akshamala (rosary).
• Her vehicle is a peacock according to Digambara tradition and a swan according to Shvetambara tradition.
• However, the article notes that the found images are not entirely consistent with these textual descriptions.

Information on Sarasvati Iconography:

The author mentions several ancient Sanskrit texts that provide information on the iconography of Sarasvati, including:

• "Devi Mahatmya" within the Markandeya Purana (6th-7th century CE).
• Vishnudharmottara (7th century CE).
• "Nirvana Kalika" by Padaliptasuri (circa 950-975 CE).
• Skanda Purana (12th-13th century CE).
• Acharyadinkar (1412 CE).

Description of the First Sarasvati Statue:

• This statue is worshipped as the Shruta Devi.
• Despite later additions of inlaid eyes and coloring of eyebrows and lips, which detract from its beauty, the statue possesses an attractive sweet smile.
• It is adorned with a jewel-studded karanda mukuta (crown).
• Behind the head, a lotus halo is depicted with a circle of pearls and rays. The halo is comparable to that of the famous Sarasvati statue from Pallu, Rajasthan.
• The goddess wears round earrings, a broad traiveyaka (neck ornament), a pralamba har (long pendant necklace), and dangling pearl strings. A pearl string is shown slipping between her breasts and hanging near her navel.
• She wears an urusutra (chest strap) and an ornate mekhala (waist belt) with a gras-mukha (lion's face motif) in the center. The long, fringed ends of the urudama are shown hanging gracefully on her thighs.
• Other ornaments include armlets (bahubala), bracelets (kankana), bangles (chuda), anklets (padalaka), and toe rings (toya). A long vanamala (garland of forest flowers) is also worn.
• Hands: One left hand holds a booklet, and the other holds an unclear object. One right hand holds a rolled lotus stalk, beautifully adorned with a pair of peacocks (male and female). The other right hand is in the varada mudra (gesture of granting boons).
• Lower Garments: The dhoti-chira (lower garment) is depicted with a central end flowing in graceful gomutrika waves.
• Base/Aura: The pratikara (decorative frame or aura) is broken at the top. A peacock, the vehicle, is positioned near the right foot of the goddess. To the left, a devotee in anjali mudra (folded hands) is shown in profile. Behind the devotee stand attendants playing the veena and flute, adorned with crowns and ornaments. On the lower ends of the rotating pratikara are chauradharinis (attendants holding fly-whisks). Above them are small figures of mridangavahinis (women playing drums) on plaques. At the very top, on both sides, are figures of garland-bearing Vidyadharas (celestial musicians). The left Vidyadhara figure is damaged.

Description of the Second Sarasvati Statue:

• This statue was also used for worship and is similar to the first in many respects.
• The goddess wears a jewel-studded karanda mukuta and the same types of ornaments as described for the first statue.
• Hands: One left hand holds a booklet, and the other holds an unclear object. The rolled lotus stalk held in one right hand is broken, but the beautiful peacock and peahen pair in the center are intact. The other right hand is in the varada mudra.
• Pose: The goddess stands in a graceful tribhanga (three-bend posture) on a lotus petal.
• Features: Similar to the first statue, the eyes are inlaid, and the eyebrows and lips are colored black.
• Base/Aura: The vehicle peacock is near the left foot, and a devotee in anjali mudra is seated next to the right foot. A pair of musicians playing the veena and flute, adorned with crowns and other ornaments, are depicted as in the first statue. At the lower ends of the pratikara are chauradharinis. Above them are mridangavahinis, then garland-bearing figures, and at the very top, a seated Jin Bhagavan in Padmasana (lotus posture) is carved in the center. On either side at the top, there is an attendant and a royal elephant (gajraj).

Dating and Comparison:

• Comparing the Sevadi statues with the Sarasvati statue from Pallu, the Sevadi images appear to be slightly later in time. They are dated to the late 11th century CE.
• Although both statues of Sarasvati were created as a pair, they follow opposite (savya-apasavya) arrangements.

Acknowledgements:

• The author acknowledges Prof. Madhusudan Dhaki for his unpublished article "Nirvanakalika," which helped determine the time of the text, placing the composition around 950 CE.
• The author also thanks Prof. Madhusudan Dhaki for his suggestions and photographs, which were published with his permission.