Nishidhis and Muḍinjas Revisited

Summary

Nishidhis and muḍinjas are commemorative stones erected in Jain communities to mark the voluntary and peaceful passing of ascetics through the ritual of sallekhana. Revisiting these objects, the author surveys examples from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and documents their inscriptions, iconography and placement. The paper distinguishes between nishidhis, which typically depict a seated meditating monk accompanied by a funerary inscription, and muḍinjas, which often show standing figures and are associated with marital or familial contexts. Through epigraphic analysis, the author demonstrates that many stones were commissioned by lay patrons as acts of merit, linking the commemoration of ascetic death to wider community identity. The study highlights gendered aspects: memorials to female renunciants are rarer but reveal unique symbols such as household implements. By comparing stylistic features across regions and periods, the author reconstructs changes in aesthetic conventions and ritual practice. The article also critiques earlier scholarship that conflated nishidhis with hero stones and emphasises the need to situate these monuments within the Jain ethical framework. Preservation challenges, such as weathering and neglect, are addressed, and the author calls for systematic documentation and conservation.