India, Rajasthan or Gujarat, 12th century

This beautiful marble relief depicts the Jain yakshi or attendant goddess Padmavati flanked by elephants, lions and two deer kneeling at front. Padmavati is the protective goddess of Lord Parshvanatha and is especially popular in the southwestern Indian region of Karnataka. Unlike Jinas, who having attained liberation have left the worldly realm, yakshis remain in the earthly domain in service to their devotees.