Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s19.10

v4.c16.s19.10

The third scene of the series is the most impressive. The Buddha is shown in the middle, seated on a richly carved chair² and leaning on a round bolster which is placed behind his back on the chair. He is dressed in an orange-coloured robe, and the position of the fingers of his hand suggests the teaching attitude (*Dharmachakra mudrā*), which the artist has further confirmed by painting the ‘Wheel of Law’ symbolically on the palm of the right hand of the Great Being. An ornamental halo may be noticed behind the head of the Buddha, from the oval disk of which rays of glory are emanating. These rays have been shown by the artist as delicate spiral scrolls. Above the chair of the Buddha two cherubs (*vidyā-dharis*) are shown as if descending from heaven, the idea of their descent being suggested by a cluster of conventional clouds painted around them. They hold garlands of pleasing design in their hands which they are offering to the Great Being. On either side of the chair stand two princely attendants, wearing crowns but holding fly-whisks in their hands. The features and the posture of these attendants are very graceful, and as one of them holds a flower and the other a *vajra* they may be identified with Padmapāṇi and Vajrapāṇi. Two small figures dressed in white embroidered coats and wearing globular caps (?helmets) with ornamental designs have bent low in deep adoration of the Master.