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The Eleven Principal Disciples (Ganadharas) of Mahavira, Folio 57 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineThe Eleven Principal Disciples (Ganadharas) of Mahavira, Folio 57 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra, c. 1475–1500. Western India, Gujarat. Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 12.5 x 25.7 cm (4 15/16 x 10 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Edward L. Whittemore Fund, 1932.119.57.b
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