Five moments in the life of a Tirthankara are of paramount importance. They are conception (garbha), birth (janma), renunciation (vairagya), enlightenment or omniscience (Kevala-jnana) and liberation (moksha or nirvana). First three of these five are illustrated in this painting. The panel on the left shows dream of Tirthankara's mother, conveying conception. Underneath that panel shows birth of Tirthankara. The panel on the right shows Indra [King of Gods (devas)] performing Tirthankara's birth-ablution on Mount Meru.
Birth Ablution (Abhiseka) of Tirthankara
Five moments in the life of a Tirthankara are of paramount importance. They are conception (garbha), birth (janma), renunciation (vairagya), enlightenment or omniscience (kevala-jnana) and liberation (moksha or nirvana). First three of these five are illustrated in this painting.
The panel on the left shows the dream of Tirthankara's mother, conveying conception. Underneath that panel shows the birth of a Tirthankara.
The panel on the right shows Indra [king of Gods (devas)] performing a Tirthankara’s birth-ablution on Mount Meru.