Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c6.205

c6.205

Further in chronological order are twenty-three miniatures in the palm-leaf manuscript of the Subāhukathā and seven other kathās, dated 1288 A.D.¹⁶. It is interesting to note that the representations of trees and animals appear for the first time in these miniatures. We have reproduced three miniatures in colour. The first represents the marriage procession of Śrī Neminātha. The procession has two elephants ridden by Neminātha. There is an interesting wedding pavilion on the left with the bride seated under it. A man standing outside welcomes Neminātha with folded hands (Fig. 50). The second and third miniatures (Figs. 51–52) represent the story of Baldeva Muni, a deer, and the charioteer. The story goes that Baldeva Muni was so handsome that his presence in the cities attracted women-folk. Incensed at this, he retired to the forest and started practising severe penance. The denizens of the forest, among whom was a deer, started listening to his preachings. The deer always led the Muni to travellers who offered him food which kept his body and soul together. Once a charioteer, after cutting wood in the forest, was on the point of partaking his food; at the very moment the deer brought Baldeva Muni there and the charioteer offered him food. In the second miniature, Baldeva Muni is shown seated under a tree preaching to the congregation of animals on the right. In the third miniature, the charioteer is shown offering food to Baldeva Muni.