Manuscript page
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- Date:
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- Materials and Techniques:
paper with handwritten text
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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.
Physical description
Page from a Kalpasutra manuscript, 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.
Place of Origin
Gujarat, India (made)
Date
c.1450 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
paper with handwritten text
Dimensions
Length: 10.5 in, Height: 4.25 in
Descriptive line
Kalpasutra page showing the birth of Mahavira, paper, c.1450, Gujarat
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Balbir, N. et al, 'Catalogue of the Jain Manuscripts of the British Library including the holdings of the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum'. London, British Library and Institute of Jainology, 2006. Vol 1, pp.38-39, Vol 2, pp.124-125.
Exhibition History
Nehru gallery (01/01/1990-31/12/2008)
Labels and date
THE BIRTH OF MAHAVIRA
Gouache, ink and gold on paper
Gujarat
Second half of the 15th century
IM 8-1931
A scene depicting the birth of Mahavira, the historical founder of Jainism. From a Kalpa Sutra (Book of Ritual) manuscript, the major canonical and most widely illustrated Jain text. [1990, 1995 or 2001]
PAGES FROM KALPASUTRA MANUSCRIPTS
CENTRE: THE BIRTH OF MAHAVIRA
Opaque watercolour with gold on paper
Gujarat, c.1450-1500
IM.8-1931
Harinegameshin transferred Mahavira’s embryo
into the womb of Trishala, a woman of the
Kshatriya caste of rulers and warriors, who
was considered a suitable mother. Here Queen
Trishala is seen reclining on a couch with the
baby; a maid is in attendance.
Jain manuscript pages were originally written
on palm leaf but paper had become prevalentby 1400.The lavish use of gold and ultramarine
blue became common during the 15th century. [14/05/2010]
Subjects depicted
Jainism; Mahavira; Trishala
Categories
Paintings; Jain
Collection code
SSEA
