MS. Fraser Sansk. 41b

MSS. Fraser Sansk.

Summary of Contents: An illuminated paper scroll of the Bhagavadgītā.

Bhagavadgītā

Rubric: oṃ namo bhagavate |

Language(s): Sanskrit.

Physical Description

Form: scroll

Support: Paper.

Dimensions (roll): 249 × 2.6 cm.

Condition

Complete.

Hand(s)

Devanāgarī in black ink. ‘[The MS.] is written in a most painful minute hand.’

Decoration

A border lines in red ink and gold on both sides of the scroll. The illuminated border is at its thickest until the end of the first paper joint and gradually peters out.

An illuminated headpiece decorated with flowers with red petals and three green leaves, featuring seven circular miniatures:

A miniature of four-armed Gaṇeśa seated on a lotus flower. Framed by a thin red border, and set within an illuminated headpiece decorated with red flowers and green foliage.

A miniature of four-headed and four-armed Brahma, seated on a lotus flower. Framed by a thin red border, and set within an illuminated headpiece decorated with red flowers and green foliage.

A miniature of four-armed Viṣṇu embracing Lakṣmī, both seated on a lotus flower. Set within an illuminated headpiece decorated with red flowers and green foliage.

A miniature of Kṛṣṇa, seated on a lotus flower, facing a male figure. Framed by a thin red border, and set within an illuminated headpiece decorated with red flowers and green foliage.

A miniature of standing Kṛṣṇa playing the flute to a milkmaid. Framed by a red border, and set within an illuminated headpiece decorated with red flowers and green foliage.

A miniature of Kṛṣṇa, seated on the ground and facing a male figure. Framed by a red border, and set within an illuminated headpiece decorated with red flowers and green foliage.

Binding

Kept in a glass case inside a wooden box.

History

Origin: 18th cent. CE.

‘There is nothing to aid in determining the date. Possibly it may belong to the end of the 18th cent. At any rate it cannot be much—if at all—older, and may be later.’

Provenance and Acquisition

The collection of James Fraser was transferred to the Bodleian Library from the Radcliffe Library in May 1872.

Record Sources

Description by Barbora Sojkova, based on the following sources:

Keith, Appendix to Vol. I, no. 801, p. 100

Availability

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures contact Bodleian Admissions). Contact specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript.

Bibliography

Printed descriptions:

Arthur Berriedale Keith, Catalogue of Sanskrit manuscripts in the Bodleian Library: Appendix to Vol. I (Oxford, 1909), no. 801, p. 100

Theodor Aufrecht, Codices Sanscriticos complectens, vol. 1. (Oxford, 1864), no. 801, p. 345

Funding of Cataloguing

The cataloguing of this item was made possible through a benefaction from the late John P. Clay, founder and benefactor of the Clay Sanskrit Library.