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Revered in Vedic and Puranic traditions, Sarasvati is widely recognised as the deity of learning, eloquence, and the arts. In Jain Dharma, however, she assumes a distinct theological identity-as Śrutadevi, the divine embodiment of Jinavāṇī, the omniscient teachings of the Jinas.

In this landmark volume, acclaimed art historian Dr Pawan Jain explores Sarasvati's unique place within the Jain tradition, drawing on a rich visual archive spanning over 1,500 years of Indian religious art. Through Jain sculptures, manuscript illustrations, temple friezes, and rare devotional patas, Sarasvati emerges not only as a symbol of erudition but also as a vehicle of scriptural authority and philosophical depth.

1. Introduction: Sarasvati's Vibrant Journey through Jain Art
2. The Many Faces of Sarasvati: Enduring Legacies through Jain, Buddhist and Hindu Traditions
3. Religion, Learning, and Mysticism: The Three Pillars of Sarasvati's Reign in Jain Literature and Art
4. Chiseled Divinity: Sarasvati's Visual Legacy through Jain Iconography and Sculptures
5. The Sacred 16: Discovering the Vidyadevis - the Goddesses of Learning
6. Echoes of Enlightenment: Depictions of Sarasvati in Jain Caves and Temples
7. Representing the Divine Muse in Jain Art: How Jain Manuscripts brought Sarasvati to Life
8. Colourful Syllables of Knowledge: The Visual Vocabulary of Sarasvati in Jain Patas
- Endnotes | Glossary | Bibliography
Art as Argument

This volume offers more than visual splendour. It presents Jain art as a mode of philosophical articulation, in which Sarasvati becomes the visual metaphor for śruta-jñāna-knowledge transmitted
through scriptures. In doing so, the book redefines the relationship between devotion and intellectual rigour.

Beautifully produced and carefully researched, Sarasvati: A Jain Perspective through Art is both a
collector's item and an essential scholarly reference, offering meaningful engagement for scholars, aesthetes, and seekers alike.
 

Features of the Book

• Over 200 museum-standard colour plates, each with detailed iconographic notes

• Rare artworks from collections, temples, and manuscripts across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and more

• Analysis of Śrutadevi's mudrās, vāhanas, and symbols from Jain Agamic sources

• Comparative perspectives: Jain, Brāhmaṇical, and Buddhist Sarasvatis

. Gold-leaf detailing on the cover, and museum-grade colour printing

A scholarly yet accessible foreword by Lily Pandeya

Chapter Outline