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Bharhut: Life of the Buddha - King Prasenajit Visiting the Buddha
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Bharhut: Life of the Buddha - King Prasenajit Visiting the Buddha
INDIA, Madhya Pradesh, Bharhut; circa 2nd century BCE; Stone; 48 x 52.8 cm; Freer Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., USA
This relief was originally part of the stupa paneling and is another version of the scene depicted on the better-known Prasenajit pillar in which the king of Kosala visits the Buddha. The palatial building at the center is the vihara where the Buddha is staying. A garlanded Dharma wheel supported on a rectangular throne with devotees kneeling before it represents the Buddha. One of the respectful figures standing on either side may be King Prasenajit.
There are some trees outside the building, where the same pair of figures are seen arriving on the right. The decorated city gateway of Sravasti is on the left completely filled by the hind-quarters of a horse. A mahout on the other side of the gateway is trying to prevent his elephant from breaking the branch of a tree in an example of humor typical of the Bharhut sculptures. |
