Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c12.s2.26

c12.s2.26

The pillars of the Bharhut railing are monoliths, called thabho (Skt. sthambha), being 7'1" in height, with a section of 1'10½" on the face and 1'2½" on the side. The corners have been slightly bevelled so as to make them octagonal or aṭṭhamsika as described in ancient literature. They are ornamented by a full medallion in the middle, and by a half-medallion at top and bottom, all of which were described as padma, nīlotpala, puṇḍarīka and other synonyms of the lotus flower or its compositions of petals, buds, sepals and leaves. There are also several animals and a considerable number of scenes taken from Buddhist legends and history. A few are adorned with single figures of Yakshas, Nāgas and Devatās and in one case a boldly carved soldier. There are several Jātakas also on the pillars with their labels inscribed on them. One scene illustrates the conception of Māyā Devī with the approach of the white elephant (Utkrānti). [Fig. 61]. There are also representations of the six Bodhi trees on the pillars of the six different Buddhas with their respective names inscribed on them.