Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c13.114

c13.114

The miniature depicts an incident after the birth of Mahāvīra. It is related that Indra took the child Mahāvīra on Meru and there he was bathed by him and the other gods. So enthusiastic was Indra that he assumed the form of four bulls, and the streams emanating from their eight horns sprinkled the child. In the centre is seated Indra wearing ornaments, *dhotī* and *uttarīya* with the child Mahāvīra seated on his lap; a Deva on either side with pitchers; at the top two spirited bulls.