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:
36 recto
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:
Creative Commons Public Domain

Text

Source:
The British Library Board
Shelfmark:
Or. 13701
Author:
Sukhasāgara – commentary
Date of creation:
17th to 18th centuries
Folio number:
36 recto
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:
Creative Commons Public Domain

Background Resources Glossary