Illustration from the Jaina Kalpasutra

JAIN INDIA, CIRCA 1500

Details
Illustration from the Jaina Kalpasutra
Jain India, circa 1500
Gouache on cloth, showing the antelope-headed Harinaigamesin receiving instructions from Sakra, flaking, mounted, framed and glazed
Miniature 9½ x 6½in. (24 x 17cm.)

Lot Essay

"Sakra, reflecting that in all periods Tirthankaras are born only in families of the ruling caste (Ksatriya) and never in those of the priestly caste (Brahmana), decides that he must have the embryo in the Brahmani Devananda's womb exchanged for that in the womb of the Ksatriyani Trisala, wife of King Siddhartha of the Kasyapa gotra. He summons Harinaigamesin, commander of his infantry, and instructs him to make the exchange." (Brown, W.N.: Miniature paintings of the Jaina Kalpasutra, Washington, 1934, p. 15)

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