Crasvati, Plate XXIV

The Great Miracle at Cravasti PLATE XXIV back to main article






I. Plate XXIV, I, represents a stele furnished at the top with the handle of a parasol, and at the bottom with a tenon, which must have fitted into a base in the form of a lotus similar to the one on place XXV, I. It has already been reproduced in the J. Ind. Art and Ind., no. 69, 1900, fig. 23 = Buddh. Art in India, fig. 121. The original, which came from the excavations at Loriyan-Tangai (Swat), is preserved in the Calcutta museum ; in height it measures m. 0,45. In the middle, on a lotus which springs from the soil, Buddha is seated in the Indian manner and the attitude of teaching. It will be noticed that in Gandhara - contrary to what takes place, for example, on plate XXI, I - it is the left hand which holds, between the thumb and index finger, the little finger of the right hand (cf. pll. XXIV, 2-XXVIII, I). As also on the following opiates, his right shoulder is uncovered. Garlands of flowers are twined above his head, which was moreover, together with the stele itself, to be surmounted by a detached parasol. Analogous parasols, on the stele seen only in profile, shelter his two acolytes. Standing, with their hands broken off, they bear between their eyebrows the mark of the Amd, which is regarded as a characteristic of Bodhisattvas; but at the same time, according to the customs of the school (cf. above, p. 175), the rich turban of the one on the right of Buddha designates Indra, as the hair-knot of the one on the left does Brahma. At the bottom, on each side of the lotus, are two kneeling worshippers, laymen, apparently of different sexes, perhaps Luhasudana and his wife, the Ť mother of Riddhila ť. (Cf. above, pp. 173-4). II. Plate XXIV, 2, is a direct reproduction of part of a photograph, the plate of which is preserved in the Calcutta museum and has been used previously for plate 98 of the Anc. Mon. India. We do not remember having anywhere met with the original of this bas-relief; but from the known dimensions of the sculptures near it in the photograph it must have measured in height about m. 0,40. By an exception of which we do not know any other example previous to the recent excavations at Takht-i-Bahai (cf. above, p. 172, n. I, and J. R. A. S., Oct. (908, pl. VI, 3) the pericarp of the traditional lotus is, in this case, covered with a tapestried seat. Under the feet of the two acolytes an indication of two other lotuses can be seen. Buddha is seated in the Indian manner, and makes the gesture of teaching. Between him and his attendants can be seen the busts of two other figures of Buddha, one of which is broken. The attendant on the right, whose timd is still visible, has for his head-dress, after the fashion of the god Indra, a turban enriched with jewelry, the buckle of which resembles the expanded tail of a peacock; he holds in his left hand (broken) what we take to be a bending purse. The one on the left, whose head-dress is damaged, holds in his left hand a vase, which in Gandhara was an attribute of Brahmans and of Brahma (cf. the references, p. 175, n. 2). The top of the panel is filled -- a rather rare case -- by the partly preserved foliage of a tree (cf. above, p. 163 and pi. XXVI, 2) and by two divinities throwing flowers. For a possible identification of the four worshippers, religious and lay, if, at least, they are of different sexes, see likewise above, pp. 173-174.
back to main article
copyright 2004 borobudur.tv. All Rights Reserved.