The Beginnings of Buddhist Art and Other Essays in Indian and Central-Asian Archaeology c5.s5.38

c5.s5.38

A³. The Great Departure (Mahâbhinishkramana) : the Bodhisattva leaves his native town on horseback. At Amarâvatî we perceive only the gate of the town (cf. the gates at Sânchî on our pl. VI-VII) and the riderless horse, preceded by a god and followed by a squire holding the parasol. In Gandhâra the indication of the gate has in our reproduction (but cf. Art g.-b. du Gandh., I, fig. 187) been cut away; yet Chandaka is to be seen holding high the parasol, while Yakshas raise the horse’s feet and Mâra, armed with his bow, stands at its head. Above Chandaka, again, is seen a half-length figure of Vajrapâni, armed with his thunderbolt, and above Mâra, between two divinities, the personification (recognizable by the turreted crown) of the town of Kapilavastu. Finally and above all, the Bodhisattva is this time shown on the back of his horse.