Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v2.c8.s23.3

v2.c8.s23.3

THE story is continued from the last plate (XLII). We notice the Buddha coming to the sandal-wood *vihāra*, which Pūrṇa has built as a mark of his devotion to the Great Being. To describe the fresco in detail, beginning at the top left part, we first find the Buddha descending from heaven with the two *Arhats* (?or *Bhikshus*), who are shown flying behind him.¹ A little lower down, the Buddha appears standing on the ground with his two disciples, and receiving a group of votaries who have brought offerings to him. The figure of the Buddha is a little larger in size than those of the two disciples, but they are all draped alike in a long cloak or sheet, the right shoulder and arm being exposed in observance of religious convention. The colours of the fresco have been darkened by smoke, but the outline of the figures is intact and shows excellent drawing.