DISCOVERART

Queen Trishala's Grief and Happiness, Folio 29 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutra

c. 1475–1500
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

This page discusses the pregnancy of Queen Trishala when she was anxious about why she could not feel the baby move. In the painting she addresses her handmaids: “Has the child in my womb been destroyed? Has he been killed? Have I suffered a miscarriage? The child used to move, but now he does not move.” The baby is Mahavira, who will grow to be the historical founder of the Jain religion. According to the text, he remained motionless out of compassion for his mother, not wishing to disturb her. Once he realized how worried she was, he made a little movement, and this filled her with joy.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More like this

Vigil on the Sixth Night After Mahavira's Birth, Folio 33 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraVigil on the Sixth Night After Mahavira's Birth, Folio 33 (rKing Siddhartha's Morning Bath, Folio 22 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraKing Siddhartha's Morning Bath, Folio 22 (verso), from a KalThe Fourteen Dreams of Queen Trishala, folio 14 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraThe Fourteen Dreams of Queen Trishala, folio 14 (recto), froMahavira Gives Away his Possessions, Folio 35 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira Gives Away his Possessions, Folio 35 (verso), from Indra Commands Harinaigameshin to Transfer the Embryo of Mahavira, Folio 9 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraIndra Commands Harinaigameshin to Transfer the Embryo of MahTransfer of the Embryo of Mahavira, Folio 12 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraTransfer of the Embryo of Mahavira, Folio 12 (recto), from aMahavira in the Realm of Liberation (Nirvana), Folio 43 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira in the Realm of Liberation (Nirvana), Folio 43 (verMahavira's Initiation Tonsure, Folio 37 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira's Initiation Tonsure, Folio 37 (verso), from a KalpThe Lion's Cave with Sthulabhadra and His Sisters, Folio 60 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraThe Lion's Cave with Sthulabhadra and His Sisters, Folio 60 Mahavira Rides in His Initiation Palanquin, Folio 36 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira Rides in His Initiation Palanquin, Folio 36 (recto)Nemi's Omniscience and First Teaching (below) and Nemi in the Realm of Liberation (above), Folio 51 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraNemi's Omniscience and First Teaching (below) and Nemi in thRitual Bath of Mahavira, Folio 31 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraRitual Bath of Mahavira, Folio 31 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutr