DISCOVERART

The Eleven Principal Disciples (Ganadharas) of Mahavira, Folio 57 (verso), 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

The founder of Jainism, Mahavira, had 11 main disciples, all depicted as identical to one another. They all sit in a meditative posture, with the left hand in the lap, while the right hand is in the gesture of teaching. They each have shaven heads, elongated earlobes, and white robes, indicating that this manuscript was used by the Shvetambara (White Clad) sect. In the upper central grid, decorated with flowers, is a stylized om-hrim, mystic syllables visually combined to invoke the essence of all Jain teaching.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More like this

Nemi Enthroned, Folio 54 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraNemi Enthroned, Folio 54 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira's Initiation Tonsure, Folio 37 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira's Initiation Tonsure, Folio 37 (verso), from a KalpMahavira's Omniscience and First Teaching (Samavasarana), Folio 39 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraMahavira's Omniscience and First Teaching (Samavasarana), FoIndra Commands Harinaigameshin to Transfer the Embryo of Mahavira, Folio 9 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraIndra Commands Harinaigameshin to Transfer the Embryo of MahText, Folio 63 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraText, Folio 63 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraVigil 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 (rQueen Trishala's Grief and Happiness, Folio 29 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraQueen Trishala's Grief and Happiness, Folio 29 (recto), fromText, Folio 61 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraText, Folio 61 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraBirth of Parshva, Folio 45 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraBirth of Parshva, Folio 45 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraTransfer of the Embryo of Mahavira, Folio 12 (recto), from a Kalpa-sutraTransfer of the Embryo of Mahavira, Folio 12 (recto), from aText, Folio 27 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraText, Folio 27 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraText, Folio 28 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutraText, Folio 28 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra