The Coinage of the Gupta Empire and its Imitations c19.190

c19.190

The term *apratigha* has been interpreted as ‘invincible in his resolution’ on p. 210. This meaning, invincible, is common in the epics and classical literature. But a better meaning can be suggested. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, *pratigha* is something which destroys roots of merit; it is one of the six *kleśas*, causing bondage. It consists of anger, aversion, repugnance, loathing, resistence and hostility. So when this coin-type describes Kumāragupta I as *apratigha*, it seeks to convey that he was above anger, aversion, etc. His dress shows that he had become a monk; the adjective suggests that he had made considerable spiritual progress. Entreaties of the Queen or the Commander-in-Chief could not move him.