Jain Journal 1970 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 50

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JAIN JOURNAL
his head. His costume differs from that of a Jaina.monk. In the lower register is Prince Parsva. In front of him stands a servant holding an axe, with which, at Parsva's command, he has split the wood. At the extreme left is the log itself from which emerges the serpent.
Fig. 19 Aristanemi blows Krisna's conch, Krisna tries to bend
Aristanemi's arm.
Kalpa Sutra folio, 1520 A. D.
In the upper register, at the left, the conch is on its throne, and at the right, Nemi blowing it. This alarms Krisna. He challenges Nemi to a test of strength in a fist fight. Nemi then extends his arm saying to Krisna that if he can bend down the arm he will be considered the victor. Krisna tries but fails. In the lower register Nemi stands with his left arm outstretched. Below the arm is Krisna, four-armed, trying with two of his arms to bend down Nemi's arm. From top to bottom on the right are cakra (discus), sankha (conch), gadā (mace) and Padma (lotus) all attributes of Visnu, hence of Krisna.
Fig. 20 Krisna and his wives urge Aristanemi to marry. Kalpa Sutra folio, c. 1600 A.D.
The painting shows a bathing ghat with two men standing on steps that lead down into the water. The one at the left is Nemi. Krisna faces him. Krisna is trying to convince him while Nemi is counter-arguing. Behind them on the top steps stands a female.
Fig. 21 Aristanemi riding to the bridal pavilion, Aristanemi decides
to leave the world.
Kalpa Sutra folio, c. 1550 A.D.
At the extreme left, in a pavilion is Rajimati. Coming towards the pavalion is the elephant, intricately adorned and painted bearing richly embroidered trappings. Two persons sit on its back. The first is Nemi. Behind him is a fly-whisk bearer. Behind the elephant are two horsemen representing the entire procession. At the bottom, on the left, is the pen containing beasts for banquet. In the centre is Nemi, first on the ground, then in a chariot, next deserting the bride, as his charioteer urges on the horses. Vegetation and flower scrolls appear in between the legs of elephant and horses to fill in the composition.