Shakra (Indra) Reveres the Embryo of Mahavira: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Overall: 4 3/8 x 10 5/8 in. (11.1 x 27 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1955
Not on view
The all-knowing supreme god Shakra (Indra) knows of Mahavira’s descent to earth from heaven as an embryo inserted into the Brahmani Devananda. He steps down from his bejeweled, triple-spired throne and, kneeling on a cushion, worships the jina. His honorific umbrella accompanies him. The flattened composition is set against a vibrant blue color field.