Digambara Jain manuscript page: Jina and monk with Lakshmi-Narayana & Ardhanarishvara (fol. No. 42)
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Sirohi School
Description
Both the golden-hued jina seated on a simple throne at the upper right and the monk who venerates him are naked, identifying them as Digambara (sky-clad) jina. Seated below them, suggesting a subservient position, are the major Hindu gods: on the left sits the blue-skinned Vishnu (also known as Narayana) with his consort Lakshmi; on the right appears Shiva in his form as Ardhanarishvara, “the god whose half is woman.” Over them all, a human-faced sun shines from a cloud-streaked sky.
The dedication of sacred manuscript books for shrines is required of Jain devotees, and book production reflects the integral relationship among the laity, monastic community, and the Jina. Commissioning a book fulfills the lay obligation of charity, while beholding a book helps the individual achieve the proper mental state for spiritual guidance. It was customary for a lay donor to commission a copy of a text for presentation to his spiritual teacher and ultimately to the monk’s temple library. Over the centuries, libraries received great quantities of texts, which were employed in the instruction of monks and nuns. Monks and nuns were discouraged, however, from practicing the art of painting: one text expressly warns them of the power of painting to arouse sensual feelings.
Fall 2010 Gallery Rotation - Natsu Oyobe, April 2010
Illustrated Digambara manuscripts are less well known to Western collectors than those of the Shvetambara sect, but the Museum is fortunate to own eighteen pages of this delightful series. Both the golden-hued jina seated on a simple throne at the upper right and the monk who venerates him are naked, identifying them as Digambara (sky-clad). Seated below them, suggesting a subservient position, are the major Hindu gods: on the left sits the blue-skinned Vishnu (also known as Narayana) with his consort Lakshmi; on the right appears Shiva in his form as Ardhanarishvara, “the god whose half is woman.” Over them all, a human-faced sun shines from a cloud-streaked sky.
Exhibited in "Divine Encounters, Earthly Pleasures: Twenty Centuries of Indian Art," 12/12/03-2/22/04.
Gallery Rotation Fall 2010
Jina and monk with Lakshmi, Narayana, and Ardhanarishvara from a Digambara Jain manuscript
India, Rajasthan, Sirohi
18th century
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel, 1975/2.166
Both the golden-hued Jina seated on a simple throne at the upper right and the monk who venerates him are naked, identifying them as Digambara (sky-clad) jina. Seated below them, suggesting a subservient position, are the major Hindu gods: on the left sits the blue-skinned Vishnu (also known as Narayana) with his consort Lakshmi; on the right appears Shiva in his form as Ardhanarishvara, “the god whose half is woman.” Over them all, a human-faced sun shines from a cloud-streaked sky.
The dedication of sacred manuscript books for shrines is required of Jain devotees, and book production reflects the integral relationship among the laity, monastic community, and the Jina. Commissioning a book fulfills the lay obligation of charity, while beholding a book helps the individual achieve the proper mental state for spiritual guidance. It was customary for a lay donor to commission a copy of a text for presentation to his spiritual teacher and ultimately to the monk’s temple library. Over the centuries, libraries received great quantities of texts, which were employed in the instruction of monks and nuns. Monks and nuns were discouraged, however, from practicing the art of painting: one text expressly warns them of the power of painting to arouse sensual feelings.
Subject Matter:
The dedication of sacred manuscript books for shrines is required of Jain devotees, and book production reflects the integral relationship among the laity, monastic community, and the Jina. Commissioning a book fulfills the lay obligation of charity, while beholding a book helps the individual achieve the proper mental state for spiritual guidance.
In this example, both the golden-hued jina seated on a simple throne at the upper right and the monk who venerates him are naked, identifying them as Digambara (sky-clad) jina. Seated below them, suggesting a subservient position, are the major Hindu gods: on the left sits the blue-skinned Vishnu (also known as Narayana) with his consort Lakshmi; on the right appears Shiva in his form as Ardhanarishvara, “the god whose half is woman.” Over them all, a human-faced sun shines from a cloud-streaked sky.
Physical Description:
This work is painted in tones of red, green, dark blue, and orange/gold, against a light background. At the top is a sun with a many rays and a human face. Below this are two seated figures who are unclothed. They are seated on thrones decorated with colorful designs. One has reddish skin and is shown in profile, looking at the sun with hands raised. The other has orange skin and is seated in a lotus posiiton, facing front. Below them is a scene that shows two figures, a woman and a blue-skinned man, turned toward a half-man, half-woman figure who is seated on a tiger rug. These figures are dressed in colorful clothing and adorned with jewelry and hold various objects in their hands.
Usage Rights:
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