Indian Sculpture c8.88

c8.88

The rendering of this Jātaka is fully preserved in Bhārhut. The Bodhisattva, then born as a trader, while crossing a desert with 500 carts, fell asleep at night and the oxen turned round, so that in the morning the caravan was at the same spot as on the previous day. But as all their water was exhausted the men in despair unyoked their oxen, flung themselves down, etc. The Bodhisattva, determined to save the situation, explored the surroundings and came across a clump of Kuṣa-grass. This could not have grown without water. He has a well dug, water rises, the caravan drinks, feeds, and at sunset they hoist a flag by the side of the well and travel on to their destination. The well, etc., are shown in the Bhārhut relief; the preparations for starting after their rescue are indicated in this fragment from Mathurā.