Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s19.8

v4.c16.s19.8

The second scene, representing the descent of the Buddha from heaven, is painted in the middle of the fresco (Plates XXXVIII and XXXIX). The celestial ladder of the *Jātaka* is represented by five steps, which are not one above the other but are arranged sideways, one step being in the middle and two on each side of it. The Buddha is dressed in an orange robe, and his right hand is lowered towards the earth in the *Bhūsparśa mudrā*. He is represented as emaciated, and this is doubtless because it is related that before his Enlightenment Gotama kept fasts and underwent other austerities. There are nine divinities around him, who are either wearing crowns or have their hair plaited and dressed in the shape of a crown. Two of these are holding fly-whisks and may be identified as the Bodhisattvas Padmapāṇi and Vajrapāṇi. Of the remaining seven figures one surely represents Indra, since he is wearing a high bejewelled crown and his third eye of omniscience is visible in his forehead. The corresponding figure on the right side may be that of Brahma, for his hair is plaited in the style of the hair of the *yogīs*. The remaining five figures may represent either the other gods of Buddhist mythology or the five monks who were the first to be taught the Law by the Buddha.¹