Untitled (Manusyaloka - The World of Men)
- Title:
- Untitled (Manusyaloka - The World of Men)
- Alternate Title:
- Jain Cosmological Painting
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Unknown
- Date:
- 1900
- Posted Date:
- 2015-08-25
- ID Number:
- 1137.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_1137_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1900 - 1919
- Subject:
- Religion
Allegorical - Measurement:
- 65 x 68 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- This is a Jain cosmological painting on cloth; the date is estimated and could be far amiss. Jainism is a minority Indian religion that adapted certain Buddist and Hindu cosmological concepts into "the most intense cartographic expressions" of the genre (Cosgrove 2007, 77). See generally Schwartzberg 1992, 367-76. Jain cosmological works have been prepared at least since the 6th or 7th century, not only by monks, but by the laity, for "essentially didactic" purposes (Ibid. 367).
This is an illustration of "Manusyaloka" (the world of men), the two and one-half continents that are the only part of the world humans may know. The innermost ocean circle surrounds "Jambudvipa" (the island of the rose-apple tree), with Mount Meru at the center. From Mount Meru to the outer barrier of insurmountable mountains, the painting is filled with rivers, streams, ponds, mountains and other images (See Caillat 1981, 26-35, 118-144). The mountain ranges divide the world so that there are "five Mt. Merus, in a straight line running from East to West," and ten capitals (eight here each represented "by a princely couple seated in their palace)." (Ibid. 121). The eight figures in niches are "Jinas," those who have conquered all worldly passions; these images "remind us opportunely that there is no Release - and therefore no birth of . . . those 'makers of the ford' who lead to perfection - outside the human world." (Ibid. 122).
See also Barber 2005, 206-07; Phaidon 2015, 16.
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.