Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c13.124

c13.124

In the lower panel of the miniature, Mahāvīra is shown plucking his hair with one hand; on the right is shown Indra holding the *vajra* and showing his eagerness to receive the plucked hair. In the upper panel is shown the giving away of half of his garment by Mahāvīra. The episode refer to an incident in the life of Mahāvīra, who, after giving away all his possessions before the renunciation, was approached by the Brahmin Soma and was presented with half of his garment. On the right hand of the panel, Mahāvīra is shown offering half of his garment to the Brahmin. On the left, a further incident from the episode is depicted. It is said that Soma offered this half garment to a merchant who promised to pay him hundred thousand golden coins, provided that the remaining half of the garment could be procured. The Brahmin approached Mahāvīra but could not dare ask for the other half of his garment, though he followed him from place to place. After more than one year, while walking on the banks on river Rijuālukā, the other half of the garment on the person of Mahāvīra got stuck in a thorny bush and he abandoned it. Now getting his chance, the Brahmin Soma took the garment and bolted. In the panel, Mahāvīra is shown going away and the Brahmin is seen picking up the abandoned garment.