Ambika

Description

Deity Ambika is part of saptmatrikas who is depicted with a child in her lap. Here she is visible sitting in lalitasana, on a lotus pedestal wearing a beaded necklace and fine drapery. Ambika's vahana or vehicle is the lion, which is seen seated beneath the lotus pedestal throne. As Jain goddess (called yakshi) she is the attendant deity associated with Neminatha, the 22nd Jain tirthanakara. Ambika is the goddess or yakshi worshipped on behalf of mothers and infants. In this sculptural fragment one celestial figure in upper right corner is seen playing a musical instrument.