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 also contains a version of the story of Kālaka, which follows the Kalpa-sūtra. Written in 1434 CE, the manuscript belongs to the early phase of Jain miniature painting.
Glossary
- Source:
The British Library Board
- Shelfmark:
I.O. San. 3177
- Author:
unknown
- Date of creation:
1437
- Folio number:
68 recto
- Total number of folios:
155
- Place of creation:
Patan, Gujarat
- Language:
Ardhamāgadhī Prākrit in Devanāgarī script
- Medium:
opaque watercolour and gold on coloured paper
- Size:
29 x 9 cms
- Copyright:
CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
- Image Copyright:
Section on Nemi
- Source:
The British Library Board
- Shelfmark:
I.O. San. 3177
- Author:
unknown
- Date of creation:
1437
- Folio number:
68 recto
- Total number of folios:
155
- Place of creation:
Patan, Gujarat
- Language:
Ardhamāgadhī Prākrit in Devanāgarī script
- Medium:
opaque watercolour and gold on coloured paper
- Size:
29 x 9 cms
- Copyright:
CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
- Image Copyright:
Kalpa-sūtra with Sanskrit glosses (Or. 13455)
The British Library Board Or. 13455 unknown 14 to 15th centuries