Parsvanatha
Dynasty : Chola, Tamil Nadu
Period : Late Medieval 1000 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 beneath his legs as an icon identifier. His iconography is usually accompanied by Dharnendra and Padmavati, Jainism's snake god and goddess. An image of Parsvanatha carved in high relief. He is stark naked and stands on a semi-circular base in kayotasarga position, both hands dangling along the sides. He is shaded by the canopy of a five-headed serpent whose circled body is seen behind the deity. The hair is arranged in schematic curls. He has extended earlobes, lines on the neck and a srivatsa mark above his right nipple. A conch is depicted above his left shoulder.