Standing Image of Rishabh Dev
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The standing image of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev has been beautifully carved at Khajuraho Temples. It is flanked by images of Yakha-Yakshi, a bull and many other goddesses.
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The standing image of Bhagwan Rishabh Dev at Khajuraho Temples dates back to the late tenth or early eleventh century A.D. It has been estimated on the basis of style and architecture. The image has been carved magnificently and looks very appealing. It is flanked by the Jain figures and with his vahana.
The image of Rishabh Dev is seen standing on a lotus that has been placed over a covering cloth that hangs from the pedestal. The left hand of the Jina below the elbow is damaged. A bull is carved in the centre of the pedestal in front of the dharmachakra. It is vahana of the Lord. In the two corners of the pedestal figures of the yaksha and yakshi of the Jina, Sarvanubhati and Chakreswari have been carved. The Yakshi here is four armed and is carved on the left corner. She rides on a garuda and holds in her two upper and lower right arms respectively a disc and the abhaya mudra. The Yaksha is four armed and is seen sitting on the right corner. He holds a purse and a fruit respectively in his right and left arms. Image of worshippers sitting close to the feet of the Lord with their hands joined in reverence is visible. Two bearers holding long stalked lotus in one hand and flywhisk, hanging downwards, in the other hand are carved. Seated figures of Jinas also adorn the temple. Image of an elephant with two riders have been carved at the top of each framing pilaster. The elephants are seen holding a vase. A small standing Jina figure is carved beside the flanking attendants. The image of Lord Parshvanatha has also been carved here. It is surmounted by a three hooded cobra and is in standing pose. All the fifty-two small Jina figures have been carved with nimbus. In the image carved, the triple parasol adorned with festoons has been supported by a stand. It is believed that the figure fifty-two might have been taken from the fifty-two Sasvata Jinalayas of Nandisvaradvipa. These have been a very popular form of representation in among both the Jain sects. The halo behind the head of the Lord is made of corolla, blossom circlet, rosette and some floral motif. Figures playing flute have been magnificently carved at the back of the slab at the top corner.
The hair of Rishabhanath is arranged in ringlets with three lateral strands over each shoulder. According to Swetambara works Kalpasntra of Acharya Bhadrabahu and the Trisastisalakapurusacaritra of Hemachandra all the Jinas except Rishabh Dev plucked their hair in five handfuls when they renounced the world. Rishabh dev on the contrary tore four handfuls of hair.
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