With reference to the Kalakacharyakatha, consider the following statements: 1. It narrates the story of Acharya Kalaka rescuing his sister, a Jain nun. 2. It involves the use of a magical horse that flies over the ocean. 3. The evil king in the story is depicted presiding from inside a circular fort. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct option is 1 and 3 only Explanation The Kalakacharyakatha (The Story of Teacher Kalaka) is a prominent non-canonical text in the Jain tradition, written primarily in Prakrit and Sanskrit. It is historically significant for narrating the interaction between Indian rulers and the Shakas (Scythians) and is a favorite subject in the Western Indian School of Jain miniature paintings. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct. The central narrative of the text revolves around the Jain monk Acharya Kalaka. His sister, a Jain nun named Sarasvati, was abducted by the powerful King Gardabhilla of Ujjain. The story details Kalaka's journey to rescue her and his revenge against the king. - Statement 2 is Incorrect. The story involves supernatural elements, specifically the "Gardabhi Vidya" (She-Ass Magic) possessed by King Gardabhilla, which could kill soldiers with its braying. Kalaka counters this by advising the Shaka archers to shoot into the donkey's mouth. However, the specific motif of a "magical horse that flies over the ocean" is not a part of this narrative; Kalaka is described as traveling across the Indus river to the land of the Shakas (Scythians) to seek their military aid. - Statement 3 is Correct. This statement refers to the iconographic conventions found in Jain manuscripts (such as the Kalpasutra and Kalakacharyakatha illustrations). In the paintings depicting the siege of Ujjain, King Gardabhilla is characteristically depicted sitting inside a stylized circular fort or city wall, while the Shaka archers surround the perimeter to attack the magical donkey. Key Takeaway: The Kalakacharyakatha is a Jain text narrating the overthrow of King Gardabhilla of Ujjain by the Shakas at the instigation of Acharya Kalaka. It is a critical source for studying the Western Indian style of manuscript painting, particularly the depiction of the "circular fort" during the siege of Ujjain.

With reference to the Kalakacharyakat… - NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture MCQ

NCERT Class 12 Art & Culture — Chapter 1: The Manuscript Painting Tradition

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With reference to the Kalakacharyakatha, consider the following statements:

It narrates the story of Acharya Kalaka rescuing his sister, a Jain nun.
It involves the use of a magical horse that flies over the ocean.
The evil king in the story is depicted presiding from inside a circular fort.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT An Introduction to Indian Art - Part II · Page 5

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 1 and 3 only

Explanation

The Kalakacharyakatha (The Story of Teacher Kalaka) is a prominent non-canonical text in the Jain tradition, written primarily in Prakrit and Sanskrit. It is historically significant for narrating the interaction between Indian rulers and the Shakas (Scythians) and is a favorite subject in the Western Indian School of Jain miniature paintings.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct. The central narrative of the text revolves around the Jain monk Acharya Kalaka. His sister, a Jain nun named Sarasvati, was abducted by the powerful King Gardabhilla of Ujjain. The story details Kalaka's journey to rescue her and his revenge against the king.
Statement 2 is Incorrect. The story involves supernatural elements, specifically the "Gardabhi Vidya" (She-Ass Magic) possessed by King Gardabhilla, which could kill soldiers with its braying. Kalaka counters this by advising the Shaka archers to shoot into the donkey's mouth. However, the specific motif of a "magical horse that flies over the ocean" is not a part of this narrative; Kalaka is described as traveling across the Indus river to the land of the Shakas (Scythians) to seek their military aid.
Statement 3 is Correct. This statement refers to the iconographic conventions found in Jain manuscripts (such as the Kalpasutra and Kalakacharyakatha illustrations). In the paintings depicting the siege of Ujjain, King Gardabhilla is characteristically depicted sitting inside a stylized circular fort or city wall, while the Shaka archers surround the perimeter to attack the magical donkey.

Key Takeaway:
The Kalakacharyakatha is a Jain text narrating the overthrow of King Gardabhilla of Ujjain by the Shakas at the instigation of Acharya Kalaka. It is a critical source for studying the Western Indian style of manuscript painting, particularly the depiction of the "circular fort" during the siege of Ujjain.

Your note

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