Not currently on display at the V&A

Kalpasutra

Manuscript Page
late 15th century to early 16th 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.
This folio shows Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, carrying out two of the actions through which he renounces his worldy life and becomes an ascetic, in a pattern also carried out in the biographies of almost all the Tirthankaras. In the upper register he is shown bejewelled and with fine clothing, seated on a throne, but giving away his possessions, with an old man coming before him for alms. The lower register shows Parshva, dressed only in a simple loincloth and with much less jewellery, plucking out his hair, which is collected by the god Shakra. Jain monks still pluck out their hair in five handfuls as part of their diksha or initiation.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Kalpasutra (generic title)
  • Parsva (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted and written in ink, paint and gold on paper
Brief description
Jain manuscript page, Kalpasutra, Parsva, 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 Parsva giving away his possessions (above) and tearing out his hair (below).
Dimensions
  • Length: 10.25in
  • Height: 4.25in
Double-ruled red margins, filled with gold on both sides. Illustrations colour used blue, black, red, white, silver and gold.
Content description
Parsva giving away his possessions (above) and tearing out his hair (below).
Style
Gallery label
PAGES FROM A KALPASUTRA MANUSCRIPT Opaque watercolour with gold on paper. Western India, probably Gujarat, late 15th or early 16th century ABOVE: PARSHVANATHA RENOUNCING THE WORLDLY LIFE IS.46:55-1959 Born as a prince, the Jina decides to give up his comfortable life and become a wandering mendicant seeking enlightenment. Here, the upper register depicts Parshvanatha, the 23rd Jina, giving away his possessions. Below, Parshvanatha is plucking his hair out in handfuls, and it is collected by Shakra, king of the gods. Jain monks on their initiation still pluck out locks of hair today.(14.05.2010)
Object history
Purchased in 1959 from Mr. A. Shah.
Production
Western India
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.
This folio shows Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, carrying out two of the actions through which he renounces his worldy life and becomes an ascetic, in a pattern also carried out in the biographies of almost all the Tirthankaras. In the upper register he is shown bejewelled and with fine clothing, seated on a throne, but giving away his possessions, with an old man coming before him for alms. The lower register shows Parshva, dressed only in a simple loincloth and with much less jewellery, plucking out his hair, which is collected by the god Shakra. Jain monks still pluck out their hair in five handfuls as part of their diksha or initiation.
Bibliographic references
  • 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.
Collection
Accession number
IS.46:55-1959

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Record createdJanuary 9, 2008
Record URL
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