The Attainment of Perfect Knowledge (Siddha) by Mahavira's Disciple Indrabhuti Gautama: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The night Mahavira died, his principal disciple reflected on his master's passing and experienced enlightenment. Indrabhuti is dressed in the white robes of a Svetambara monk, carries a cloth face mask, or mohapatti (to prevent inadvertently swallowing even microscopic life forms), over his right shoulder, has a small broom (for harmlessly brushing away even the smallest insects) at his right thigh, and holds a meditation rosary (mala). He is seated on a throne before which blooms a red lotus. The trees are also in flower, as if in recognition of his newly attained siddha-hood.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art