Shantinatha, Sixteenth Jain Tirthankara

This sculpture is one of the early intricately carved images of Shantinatha. Here, he stands fully calm and composed, with his eyes closed. He is depicted in the Kayotsarga pose, which literally means "dismissing the body”. In this, the person gives up one's physical comfort and restricts body movements leading to a steady state either in a standing or other posture and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul. There is a shrivatsa emblem on his chest which is an important part of Jain iconography and distinguishes it from Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. There is an elaborate halo or the prabhavali which is inset with a number of human figures. A donor couple is seated in prayerful supplication on either side of his feet. The chauri bearers elegantly wave their chauris, standing behind the donors, right under the hands of the Jina.

The tirthankara has a very revered place in the Jain religion. He is the great teacher and a savior, who has conquered the cycle of death and rebirth and made a path for others to follow. The tirthankara's teachings form the basis for the Jain canons.