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6. Seated Jina Rishabhanatha India, Rajastan 11th century Stone 31 x 22.5 x 8.5 in, 79 x 57 x 21.5 cm |
The serene figure seated in meditation with both hands folded across the soles of his feet, flanked by two chauri (flywhisk) bearers, each on an elephant base in a lively tribhanga stance. His supple body is adorned only with the auspicious srivatsa mark in relief on his chest, and his face is expressive with puckered lips and chin, almond-shaped eyes, and highly arching brows. The figure’s importance is reinforced by his broad shoulders, attentive face, careful coiffure, and the presence of the attendant figures. The small bull carved at the base of the decorated meditation cushion, as well as the distinctive arrangement of the hair into snailshell curls with matted locks draping down his shoulders, identify this figure as Rishabhanatha, the first of the twenty-four Jinas. Jinas are typically represented with hair in tight, knob-like curls, but only Rishabhanatha has escaping jatas. Two similar stories explain. Having lived in luxury for many years, the King Rishabha decided to renounce his wealth and take on the life of an ascetic. The first of his austerities was to rid himself of his long hair. Rather than shave it, in the manner of a monk, he pulled it out with his hands, uprooting his hair as he uprooted his attachments to the world. The Svetambara sources relate that the God Indra saw this process, and, seeing Rishabha’s beautiful remaining locks, stopped his progress after only five handfulls. The Digambara sources say Rishabha successfully removed all his hair, but it again grew as he meditated. - description by Emma Stein Detail: Seated Jina Rishabhanatha, side view Detail: Seated Jina Rishabhanatha, detail closeup |