Please complete the form to email this item.

Manuscript page - Kalpasutra

Kalpasutra

  • Object:

    Manuscript page

  • Place of origin:

    Gujarat, India (made)

  • Date:

    late 15th century to early 16th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Paper with text and illustrations

  • Museum number:

    IS.46:2-1959

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Download image

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.

This folio shows Mahavira attended by demi-gods and demi-goddesses and the eight auspicious signs.

Physical description

Part of a manuscript of the Kalpasutra consisting of 91 folios, numbered 1-92, with folio 3 missing and containing 38 illustrations. The text is written in black ink in Prakrit, seven lines to the page between red and gold marginal rules and blue border decoration. The text of a Sanskrit commentary is inserted in small Nagari characters in the margins. Central and marginal string-holes are decorated but not pierced and on the obverse of each folio the central hole only is marked. Folio numbers are written in the lower right-hand corner of the reverse of each folio but are defective from folio 85 onwards due to insect damage. The colophon is written in red on f.92 verso (see Marks).
This folio shows Mahavira attended by demi-gods and demi-goddesses and the eight auspicious signs.

Place of Origin

Gujarat, India (made)

Date

late 15th century to early 16th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Paper with text and illustrations

Marks and inscriptions

Iti sri paryushana kalpadhyayana samaptam
chha sri
grain 92
Pam(n)[dita] sri 5 ki stura ge [for gani] muni Motiva [for Vi]jaya ni parat saha hasata (This was) redone by the hand of Muni Moti Vijaya, disciple of Pandit Kastura Vijaya Gani.

Dimensions

Length: 10.25 in, Height: 4.25 in

Object history note

Purchased in 1959 from Mr. A. Shah c/o. Mrs. G.Charlston, London S.W.16. for £48.

Descriptive line

Jain manuscript of the Kalpasutra, late 15th and early 16th century, Gujarat, India. Mahavira with eight auspicious signs.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Masterpieces of the Kalpasutra Paintings, Sarbhai M. Nawab. 1956.
Catalogue of the Jain Manuscripts of the British Library, Vol.2, page 87, Cat. no. 107.

Production Note

Western India

Subjects depicted

Jainism; Mahavira

Categories

Manuscripts; Paintings; Jain

Collection code

SSEA

Download image
Qr_O142148
Ajax-loader