Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c13.120

c13.120

This is an incident from the life of Mahāvīra in which he began distributing alms from the morning till night, a year before the renunciation. Mahāvīra is seated on a throne in the canopied hall on the left, distributing alms. Here, he is represented with a beard and moustaches. Nearby may be seen a teapoy with a tray full of gold coins. Behind Mahāvīra stands a female *chaurī*-bearer. On the right, there are five beggars receiving alms.