The Fourteen Marvelous Jewels of the Universal Emperor (Chakravartin)

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The Fourteen Marvelous Jewels of the Universal Emperor (Chakravartin)

1663-1664

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

As jinas are spiritual rulers, chakravartins are great emperors. One becomes a chakravartin by building good karma throughout many lives. The fourteen "jewels" shown here are symbols of an emperor's power. At the upper left sits the chakravartin himself. The remainder of the upper row shows his human jewels--his priest, general, steward, architect, and wife. The lower level shows his animal and object jewels, such as the elephant, umbrella, and sword. Some have magical powers attached--the animal- skin jewel protects the owner from all weapons; the coin jewel heals; and the gem jewel brings light to the darkness.

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Object Details

Title:

The Fourteen Marvelous Jewels of the Universal Emperor (Chakravartin)
Page from a manuscript of the Sangrahanisutra, a Jain cosmological text

Date:

1663-1664

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor and ink on paper

Dimensions:

Sheet: 4 3/8 × 10 1/4 inches (11.1 × 26 cm)

Classification:

Books/Manuscripts/Information Artifacts

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Francis T. S. Darley Fund, 1935

Accession Number:

1935-34-11(54a,b)

Geography:

Made in Gujarat, India, Asia or made in Rajasthan, India, Asia

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