Manuscript Page
second half 15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Kalpasutra (Book of Rituals) is the most important canonical text in Jain literature for the Svetambaras (white-clad), one of the two sects of Jainism. Jainism is one of the oldest religions to have survived until the present time and its basic teaching is one of non-violence. The Kalpasutra is divided into three sections. The first section deals with the lives of the twenty-four Jinas or Tirthankaras, who were the Jain spiritual teachers or 'ford-makers'. The second part deals with the life of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. The third part deals with rules for the ascetics and laws during the four months (chaturmas) of the rainy season, when ascetics temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the laity. This is the time when the festival of Paryushan is celebrated and the Kalpasutra is traditionally recited.
The subjects of the pictures deal mainly with the early life of Mahavira. In this folio the Rani (or Queen) Trishala has just given birth to Mahavira, who is cradled in her arm. The woman to the right is holding a chauri or flywhisk.
The subjects of the pictures deal mainly with the early life of Mahavira. In this folio the Rani (or Queen) Trishala has just given birth to Mahavira, who is cradled in her arm. The woman to the right is holding a chauri or flywhisk.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, Kalpasutra page, birth of Mahavira, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, second half 15th century, Gujarat |
| Physical description | Painting, opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Kalpasutra page, showing the Birth of Mahavira: the Rani Trishala reclines on a couch with the infant on her right arm. Behind to the right is a female chauri-bearer. The illustration is on the left and the figures and architecture are painted in gold, blue and black on a dark red background. On the right side of the page is the text, which is in gold Nandinagari characters on a blue rectangular ground with red edgings. There is a narrow strip of text immediately to the right of the illustration, also on a blue ground. There is a single red medallion in the centre of the page. On the reverse is text only. This is contained within a blue square and a blue rectangle, each with red edgings. It carries the folio number 33. There are three red medallions, on the left and right and in the centre. |
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| Content description | The Birth of Mahavira: the Rani Trishala reclines on a couch with the infant on her right arm. Behind to the right is a female chauri-bearer. |
| Gallery label |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Kalpasutra (Book of Rituals) is the most important canonical text in Jain literature for the Svetambaras (white-clad), one of the two sects of Jainism. Jainism is one of the oldest religions to have survived until the present time and its basic teaching is one of non-violence. The Kalpasutra is divided into three sections. The first section deals with the lives of the twenty-four Jinas or Tirthankaras, who were the Jain spiritual teachers or 'ford-makers'. The second part deals with the life of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. The third part deals with rules for the ascetics and laws during the four months (chaturmas) of the rainy season, when ascetics temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the laity. This is the time when the festival of Paryushan is celebrated and the Kalpasutra is traditionally recited. The subjects of the pictures deal mainly with the early life of Mahavira. In this folio the Rani (or Queen) Trishala has just given birth to Mahavira, who is cradled in her arm. The woman to the right is holding a chauri or flywhisk. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.8-1931 |
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| Record created | November 1, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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