Rotssculptuur van een Tirthankara c. 1900

This rock sculpture of a Tirthankara by K.H. Mawal presents us with an iconic figure of Jain spiritual teachers, seated in serene meditation. Dominating the image is the halo behind the figure, a universal symbol of enlightenment and divine grace. We see its ancient roots in early solar cults, where the sun disk signified omnipotence, and later, its adaptation in Christian art to denote holiness. The seated posture, legs crossed in the lotus position, evokes both stillness and boundless energy, channeling the body's vital forces. This is a posture that appears across cultures, from depictions of Buddha to ancient Egyptian royalty, as a way of signifying enlightenment. This iconography echoes through time, each culture layering its own narrative onto the fundamental symbol of spiritual insight. The figure's meditative state invites us to confront our inner selves, mirroring our own subconscious quest for meaning. In each era, in each culture, this posture represents the highest aspiration of the human spirit, a silent testament to our shared yearning for transcendence.