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Visnupur: Buddha and Bodhisattvas
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Visnupur: Buddha and Bodhisattvas
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Visnupur: Buddha and Bodhisattvas
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Visnupur: Buddha and Bodhisattvas
INDIA, Bihar, Bodhgaya; circa 10th century; Stone; Patna Museum, Bihar, India
These three figures were unearthed in Visnupur in 1872 and 1873, but are believed to have belonged to the Buddhist site of Hasra Kol in Kurkihar, 15 km south of where they were unearthed. Their dating has been determined by the discovery of a similar Buddha sculpture with a 10th century inscription at Bodhgaya.
The Buddha 's curled hair rises to a usnisa mounted with a gem. The figure sites in full lotus position on a cushion with floral diamond patterns. The right hand is in bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The monastic robe, incised with stylistic folds, leaves the right shoulder bare. The two attendant Bodhisattvas are similar in appearance and sit on cushions in the posture of royal ease. The Bodhisattvas wear their hair piled high on their heads in a distinct style, and both have their right hand in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. They have a vertical third eye on the forehead and a Dharma wheel on their open palms. They wear numerous pieces of jewelry and a sacred thread. One of the Bodhisattvas wears a headdress featuring a stupa and holds a dragon flower. The other figure has a seated Buddha on the headdress and holds a lotus. |
