Background
The Kalpa-sūtra is the most frequently illustrated Jain text of the Śvetāmbara sect. It is read and recited by monks in the festival of Paryuṣaṇ, which takes place in August to September each year.
The first part of the Kalpa-sūtra deals with the lives of the Jinas, especially Mahāvīra, Pārśva, Nemi and Ṛṣabha. It features almost identical stories of their births, lives as princes, renunciation, enlightenment and emancipation.
The second part – Sthavirāvali – is a praise of the early teachers of Jainism. The third part – Sāmācārī – deals with particular monastic rules to be followed during the rainy season.
This manuscript does not contain the Prakrit text of the Kalpa-sūtra, but a narrative commentary in Gujarati that focuses on Mahāvīra’s previous births.
Glossary
- Source:
The British Library Board
- Shelfmark:
Or. 13701
- Author:
Sukhasāgara – commentary
- Date of creation:
17th to 18th centuries
- Folio number:
- Total number of folios:
83
- Place of creation:
western India
- Language:
Gujarati in Devanāgarī script
- Medium:
opaque watercolour on paper
- Size:
27 x 12.5 cms
- Copyright:
CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
- Image Copyright:
Lady on her couch
- Source:
The British Library Board
- Shelfmark:
Or. 13701
- Author:
Sukhasāgara – commentary
- Date of creation:
17th to 18th centuries
- Folio number:
- Total number of folios:
83
- Place of creation:
western India
- Language:
Gujarati in Devanāgarī script
- Medium:
opaque watercolour on paper
- Size:
27 x 12.5 cms
- Copyright:
CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
- Image Copyright:
Kalpa-sūtra with Gujarati commentary (Or. 13701)
The British Library Board Or. 13701 Sukhasāgara – commentary 17th to 18th centuries