Art of Enlightenment

Author(s): Kalpana Desai
Publisher: Kalpana Desai

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DIMITRIENTAL
Renunciation and Liberation of Mahavira It illustrates two great episodes in the life of Mahavira: Renunciation and Emancipation. The narration starts from the terrace scene where the future Tirthankara is seen asking for His brother's consent. Below in the balconies He feeds people and gives away all His possessions which is supposed to take a year to complete. Then it is time for the Great Departure and He is carried in a procession outside the palace walls to the gardens on the outskirts of the town. He renounces even His personal attire and plucks His hair to announce His entry into monkhood. He performs penances and then on attaining omniscience He preaches disciples, as seen on top right of the painting
Gods celebrate the descent of the
Tirthankara on this earth with great festivity and pomp because it promises
the liberation of thousands of souls from the miseries of the cycle of life and death.
Jain Education Intemational
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