Elements of Buddhist Iconography c8.71

c8.71

FIGURE 23. Part of the inner face of the north *toraṇa*, Sāñcī. Early 1st century B.C. India Office photograph. Above, the *triśūla* symbol as discussed in the text, pp. 13 f. Combined with this is the "shield" symbol discussed under Fig. 13. The supporting column is eight-sided. Below, the *abhiṣeka* of Śrī-Lakṣmī, here perhaps regarded as Māyā-devī, the Mother of the Buddha, see text, p. 22. Between, Śrī-Lakṣmī or Māyā-devī represented aniconically by the lotus. On the left, two *yakṣīs* with their trees.