Kalpasutra
Manuscript Page
late 15th century (made)
late 15th century (made)
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The Kalpasutra (Book of Ritual) is the most important canonical text for the Svetambaras (white-clad), one of the two sects of Jainism. Jainism is one of the oldest religions to have survived to the present time and one of its basic teachings is 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 'Diksha'. On his renunciation of the householder's life, Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain saviour, is plucking out his hair, which is collected by Shakra (or Indra), king of the gods. Jain monks on their initiation still pluck out a lock of hair today.
This folio shows 'Diksha'. On his renunciation of the householder's life, Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain saviour, is plucking out his hair, which is collected by Shakra (or Indra), king of the gods. Jain monks on their initiation still pluck out a lock of hair today.
Object details
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| Materials and techniques | Painted and written in ink, paint and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Jain manuscript page, Kalpasutra, Mahavira pulls out hair, ink, paint and gold on paper, Gujarat, late 15th and early 16th century |
| Physical description | Page recto of a manuscript of the Kalpasutra, ink, paint and gold on paper, 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 recto depicts Mahavira attended by Indra, pulling out his hair. |
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| Content description | Mahavira attended by Indra, pulling out his hair. |
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| Gallery label | MAHAVIRA PLUCKS OUT HIS HAIR
Opaque water-colour, ink and gold on paper
Western India, late 15th century
IS.46-1959 (f.45)
From a Kalpasutra (Book of Ritual) manuscript, the major canonical and most widely illustrated Jain text. On his renunciation of the householder's life, Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain saviour, is plucking out his hair, accompanied by Shakra or Indra, king of the gods. Jain monks on their initiation still pluck out a lock of hair today.(06/2008) |
| Object history | Purchased in 1959 from Mr. A. Shah c/o. Mrs. G.Charlston, London S.W.16. for £48. |
| Production | Western India |
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| Summary | The Kalpasutra (Book of Ritual) is the most important canonical text for the Svetambaras (white-clad), one of the two sects of Jainism. Jainism is one of the oldest religions to have survived to the present time and one of its basic teachings is 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 'Diksha'. On his renunciation of the householder's life, Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain saviour, is plucking out his hair, which is collected by Shakra (or Indra), king of the gods. Jain monks on their initiation still pluck out a lock of hair today. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.46:45-1959 |
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| Record created | January 9, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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