Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v2.c8.s21.43

v2.c8.s21.43

The next scene (Plate XXXIX) lies in the *Nāga* world, and we see Vidhurapaṇḍita teaching the sacred doctrine to the *Nāga* king, Varuṇa. Behind Vidhurapaṇḍita is Pūrṇaka, and outside the pillared hall, in which they all are seated, is Pūrṇaka’s Sindh horse, which has been painted twice, first as if descending from the air, and, secondly, resting on the earth.² The presence of the horse in these positions leads us to the conclusion that the royal escort given by King Dhanañjaya accompanied them only up to a certain limit, and that afterwards Pūrṇaka carried the minister on his horse.