Eastern Indian School of Mediaeval Sculpture c7.73

c7.73

The great renunciation is depicted by the artists of the eastern school of mediæval sculpture only on the more elaborate stelæ of the first class. It is to be distinctly recognised both in Br. 5 and in the Sibbati stele. In Br. 5 the Bodhisattva on horse-back is followed by his groom Chhandaka. In the Sibbati stele the scene is divided into two parts. To the left of the middle portion of the lowest band of basreliefs we find a miniature temple containing two human figurines representing the Bodhisattva meditating on the great renunciation. To the left of this, again we find the Bodhisattva on horse-back, followed by his groom Chhandaka with his umbrella. In Br. 5 is to be found in front of the horse, an additional figure who is holding a staff in his hand. This figure may represent Indra or the city-god (nagara-devatā).