Pala Bronze Image of Ambika

This small bronze is an early Jain image of Ambika (or ‘Mother’) and dates to around the tenth century. The goddess is the yaksi or dedicated attendant deity of Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankara.

The goddess sits cross-legged on a small dais. She is shown here with four arms. In the lower right hand she holds a mango, one of her identifying attributes. In the lower left, she holds one of her sons, either Priyankara or Shubhankara. The upper hands hold other attributes. Her full breasts emphasis the ‘mother’ aspect. An aureole rise behind her. A small seated figure can be seen above her crown. This is likely to be Neminath.

The image has a fine, encrusted and varied patina consistent with a tenth century dating.