Suparsvanatha

Suparsva

This is Suparshvanath, one of the twenty-four Jain Tirthankara. The identification is based on the Swastika symbol below him, between the two lions, and the five-hooded cobra that provides him with a protective canopy. 

Suparsva parts.jpg

This bronze is from the Svetambara (white-clad) sect of Jainism, as opposed to the Digambara (sky-clad) sect. The presence of clothes is evident by the markings on his arms, around his neck, and on his torso.

Here, Suparshvanath is seated in Padmasana with his hand in Dhyana mudra. He is flanked by two attendants. Above the attendants are elephants. This reminds me of Gajalakshmi.  In between the elephants is a five-hooded cobra, one of the identifying features of Suparshvanath.

Suparsva parts back

The swastika symbol is flanked by lions, and at the extreme ends, Yaksha and Yakshi are seated. The attributes of Yaksha and Yakshi are not distinct enough for positive identification.

At the next level below, you see spherical objects, and they are meant to represent planets. The number seems to have varied over a period of time.  Below that level is a seated figure, and he is not identified.

Among the features to note are inlaid eyes, extensive incised patterns and the way Suparsvathana is attached to the base and prabhavali.

The back has extensive inscriptions, and they are yet to be translated.

Suparsvanatha back

This bronze is from Gujarat, and it is about 17.5 cm in height. This may date to the sixteenth century. The estimate of age is based on an auction catalogue listing similar bronze objects with a similar pattern to the spherical objects.

 

 

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