The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 25, 2025
The Eleven Principal Disciples (Ganadharas) of Mahavira, Folio 57 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra
c. 1475–1500
Overall: 12.5 x 25.7 cm (4 15/16 x 10 1/8 in.)
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1932.119.57.b
Location: Not on view
Description
The founder of Jainism, Mahavira, had 11 main disciples, all depicted as identical to one another. They all sit in a meditative posture, with the left hand in the lap, while the right hand is in the gesture of teaching. They each have shaven heads, elongated earlobes, and white robes, indicating that this manuscript was used by the Shvetambara (White Clad) sect.In the upper central grid, decorated with flowers, is a stylized om-hrim, mystic syllables visually combined to invoke the essence of all Jain teaching.
- ?–1932(Heeramaneck Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)1932–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- {{cite web|title=The Eleven Principal Disciples (Ganadharas) of Mahavira, Folio 57 (verso), from a Kalpa-sutra|url=false|author=|year=c. 1475–1500|access-date=25 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1932.119.57.b