Buddhist Art in Java
PLATE XXXIV
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Plate XXXIV Cf. pp. 218, 213-220
Plates XXXIV-XLII are reproductions of photographs taken by the author from the bas-reliefs, in the state in which they were in May 1907, with the lichens which in places were eating them away (cf. pll. XXXV, 2; XXXVI; XXXIX, I), and their stones sometimes disjointed (cf. pll. XXXVIII and XLII, 2).
I. - This plate and the following belong to the story of prince Sudhana. For the description cf. p. 218. On the left will be observed the characteristic type of the Brahman, with his beard and large chignon.
II. - Upper scene. Qvetaketu, half recumbent on his throne in his celestial palace amid the paradise of the Tushitas, pays (not, it seems, without a certain melancholy) his adieux to his heavenly companions. The latter, ranged on each side of him, manifest, on their part, discreet signs of affectionate regret for the imminent departure of the future Cakya-muni.
Lower scene. Cf. p. 220. It will be noticed that the flight of Manohara is the only movement in the slightest degree violent that we shall have to encounter in the whole series of these bas-reliefs (cf., however, further pi. XXXVI, I, lower scene). Scarcely do guards and courtiers allow themselves to betray at the sight of her a gesture of surprise. The birds figured on her left have no other object - if it is absolutely necessary to ascribe one to them (cf. p. 251) - than to emphasize the aerial character of her flight.
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