The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c11.s1.83

c11.s1.83

16. (L., 158). The panel is divided like the preceding one, and the separating tree is, in this case, further reinforced by a little edicula, which serves as porch to a palisaded interior (pl. XL, 1) : nevertheless the two scenes take place at Roruka. On the right king Çikaṇḍin learns from several persons (one of whom, being armed, is perhaps his emissary, the executioner) of his father's death and last words. On the left, filled with remorse for a double crime, the murder of a father and the murder of a saint, he comes to seek refuge with his mother : doubtless this is the moment chosen by the latter to disburden him at least of his crime of parricide by revealing to him, truly or falsely, that Rudrāyaṇa is merely his reputed father.