Figure of the Jain Hero Bahubali
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
18th century-19th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
- Museum number:
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This copper alloy figure is of Bahubali, a highly popular Jain hero. Members of the Jain religious community revere him as the first devotee to attain ‘moksa’ (spiritual liberation) following the Jain path. He meditated in a forest so long that vines grew around his legs and birds nested in his hair.
In 948 AD the Ganga general Chamundaraya commissioned a monumental rock-cut image of Bahubali created at Shravana Belgola in the 10th century. This image inspired small devotional images of Bahubali that are popular in southern India. Such images were for household use and were often bought back by pilgrims to one of the Jain ‘tirthas’ (pilgrim sites). Others were made at other centres of Jainism.
Physical description
Small icon of the Jain Hero Bahubali in copper alloy. Bahubali, the Jain hero who renounced violence after brutal combat with his brother. He attained moksa following protracted standing meditation (kayotsarga) in a forest, during which time vines entwined his body. Although not admitted into the Jain pantheon of Jinas (liberated souls), he is effectively worshipped as one.
Place of Origin
Karnataka, India (made)
Date
18th century-19th century (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Copper alloy
Marks and inscriptions
Inscription in Kannada
Dimensions
Height: 26 cm, Width: 8 cm, Depth: 7.5 cm
Object history note
Small devotional images of Bahubali are popular in southern India, inspired by the monumental rock-cut image of this popular hero of Jainism, to be seen at Shravana Belgola. This massive statue was commissioned by the Ganga general Chamundaraya in 948 AD and miniature replicas have been made ever since as pilgrim souvenirs.
Descriptive line
Figure of the Jain Hero Bahubali, copper alloy, Karnataka, 18th to19th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Guy, John: 'Indian Temple Sculpture', London, V & A Publication, 2007, p.115, pl.128. ISBN 9781851775095. Guy, John (ed.). ‘L’Escultura en els Temples Indis: L’Art de la Devocio’, Barcelona : Fundacio ‘La Caixa’, 2007. p.178 cat.136. ISBN 9788476649466
Willis, M. (ed.). India: the Art of the Temple. Shanghai : Shanghai Museum, 2010. 254p, ill. ISBN 978-7-5479-0092-5. Cat. 3:15, pp. 242-3.
Text is in Chinese.
Exhibition History
India: The Art of the Temple, Shanghai Museum (04/08/2010-14/11/2010)
: L’escultura en els temples indis: l’art de la devocio (CaixaForum, Barcelona 27/07/2007-18/11/2007)
Subjects depicted
Jainism
Categories
Metalwork; Sculpture
Collection code
SSEA
