The University of Nalanda c12.53

c12.53

A number of figures of the goddess Tārā has been unearthed. And it is quite certain that Tārā was also worshipped at Nālandā. Of the numerous such images, the one described below is perhaps the finest so far as art is concerned.⁵ It is cast in bronze. The figure is seated in Vajrāsana on a lotus, supported by two dwarfish figures. On the pedestal, to the proper right, is a worshipper. In all there are 18 arms. The two principal ones are held in Dharmakramudrā against the breasts; others hold different kinds of emblems which are not clearly visible. It is fully decked with ornaments—crown, [Figure: BODHISATTVA FROM NALANDA (INDIAN HISTORICAL RESEARCH MUSEUM) St. Xavier's College, Bombay]