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Karachi: Life of the Buddha - Birth of Prince Siddhartha
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Karachi: Life of the Buddha - Birth of Prince Siddhartha
PAKISTAN, Sindh, Karachi; circa 2nd–3rd century; Schist; H: 68 cm; National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi
Unearthed from Karachi in Sindh, the relief depicts Queen Maya giving birth to Prince Siddhartha. The queen stands sinuously at the center, holding onto a branch of the asoka tree with her right hand. She is supported by her sister, Mahaprajapati, who stands to the right. The newly-born Prince Siddhartha stands below, next to his mother. Sakra is on the queen’s left, with a towel over his arm to dry the young prince. Behind him, a turbaned deity with a mustache raises his hand to his mouth while heavenly beings play their instruments above. On the right side of the relief, ladies-in-waiting attend the queen with water jars and fans. |
