Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 941

412 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
the proposal provided Devadatta agreed to stay there till a child was born to them. After marriage Araṇīkā conceived but at that time a letter was received by Devadatta from his old father asking him to return. On the way back to Mathura in the north a son was born to Araņikā and he was named Araņikāputra. When they reached Mathura they were welcomed by Devadatta's parents. The child when he grew up became the famous monk Araņikāputra.
In the upper panel, Devadatta and Araņikā are discussing the letter received. Outside the room stands a postman holding a post-bag attached to a javelin, whose representation in Indian art is very rare. On the right Araņikā is holding the newly-born child accompanied by her husband.
In the lower panel, on the left, Aranikā and Devadatta are being welcomed by his father who is holding his grandson in his lap. On the right is represented the monk Aranikācārya followed by an attendant flywhisk bearer. Red and blue background. Size: 10x11.3 cm.
(Fig. 26 for enlarged details of the upper panel)
Folio 181 A: The Story of a Bird.
While wandering in a forest a Brāhmaṇa saw a bird entering the mouth of a sleeping tiger, picking its gum. It returned to the tree and implored people not to indulge in that kind of adventure. The Brāhmaṇa thought the bird did not practise what it preached.
The scene is laid in a forest represented by a tree on either side and rocks in the foreground. On the right the bird with warning notes is perched on a tree. The tiger is shown asleep in the foreground and the bird is entering its mouth. On the left stands the Brähmana wondering at the behaviour of the bird. Red lacquer background; blue cloudy sky with rain-drops falling. Size : 8.7 x 10 cm. Folio 184 B: The Story of the Jackal and the Tortoise.
Near the Gangā at Banaras was a lake called Amritdraha. Some foxes used to come to the river and when tortoises came out and stretched their legs, the foxes killed them. A shrewd tortoise, after ascertaining that no fox was there asked his family members to come out and run to the lake nearby where he sought safety.
The scene is laid in a colourful hilly landscape with a hill in the centre flanked by decorative trees. In the foreground is depicted the river Gangă flowing in a pool. A tortoise is seen swimming in the waters. There appear four foxes on the scene, one of them is eating