Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c12.s2.28

c12.s2.28

The ornamentation of the corner pillars of the entrance is quite different from that of the others. The pillars of the inner corners generally bear figures of Yakshas and Yakshiṇīs, Devatās and Nāgarājas, to whom was entrusted the guardianship of the four entrances; e. g. on the north gate Kubera Yaksha and Candrā Yakshī and on the south gate Nāgarāja Cakravāka and Chulakokā Devatā. [Fig. 62]. On the two outer corner pillars the faces are divided into three registers, separated by Buddhist railings and occupied with scenes or legends in the life of the Buddha, e.g. the historical scenes showing the visit of Ajātaśatru to Buddha, Nāgarāja Elāpatra kneeling at the foot of the Bodhi tree, visit of King Prasenajit of Kosala to the shrine of the Dharmachakra, worship of the Aśvattha and the Banyan trees of Gautama and Kāśyapa Buddhas respectively by wild elephants, etc. [Fig. 63].