Untitled

Unknown

15th century · Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper · Asian Art

Mahavira had eleven principal disciples, who founded the original schools (gana) of Jainism. They are shown teaching, a gesture appropriate to those who embody and transmit the doctrine. All the disciples predeceased the jina except two—Indrabhuti, who succeeded as head (sthavira) of the order, and Sudharman, who in turn became head upon Indrabhuti's death a month after that of his master. Hence all spiritual descendants of Mahavira come from the line of Sudharman. Each disciple is dressed in the white robes of the Svetambara sect, has a small broom on his lap (for harmlessly brushing away insects), and a cloth facemask, or mohapatti (to prevent inadvertently swallowing even microscopic life forms), over his right shoulder. At the center of the composition is the mystic om-hrim symbol, an ancient mantra for purity used to evoke the essence of the siddhachakra (circle of jinas), the essence of the Jain doctrine.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th century

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Culture

India (Gujarat)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1955