Parsvanatha
Dynasty : Pratihara, Uttar Pradesh
Period : Late Medieval 900 CE
Material : Stone
Location : National Museum
Current Location : National Museum
Description :
Parshvanatha, also known as Parshva and Paras, was the 23rd of 24 tirthankara(propagators of dharma) of Jainism.Parshvanatha was born 350 years before Mahavira. He was the spiritual successor of 22nd tirthankara Neminath. He is popularly seen as a propagator and reviver of Jainism. Parshvanatha attained moksha on Mount Sammeta (Madhuban, Jharkhand) in the Ganges basin, an important Jain pilgrimage site. He is believed to have the power to remove obstacles and save devotees.
Statues and paintings show his head shielded by a multi-headed serpent, fanned out like an umbrella. Parshvanatha's snake emblem is carved (or stamped) beneath his legs as an icon identifier. His iconography is usually accompanied by Dharnendra and Padmavati, Jainism's snake god and goddess.
Arched slab carved in high relief showing Parsvanatha standing on a double-lotus, under the canopy of a seven-hooded coiled serpent and triple umbrella. His arms are dangling along the sides and are in kayotasarga pose. He is clothed in air. The hair is arranged in schematic spirals, with a central protuberance. A Srivatsa mark is seen on the chest. He is flanked by four standing attendant figures and six celestial beings. A celestial is holding a chauri on either side of his head.