No. 28.— 1884.] first fifty jAtakas. 



133 



before the throne, while a female figure is standing to the left, and 

 a Naga Raja, with his hands crossed on his breast, to the right. 

 This figure is distinguished by a triple-serpent crest. To the 

 extreme right there is an isolated pillar, surmounted by an 

 elephant holding out a garland in his trunk." 



The B6dhimanda or Vajrasana is a square plinth, orna- 

 mented on each face with four small pillars : it is placed in 

 the middle storey of the building, and represents the sacred 

 seat on which Sakya Muni sat in meditation until he gained 

 Buddhahood. 



The stupas represented in the Bharhut sculptures are of 

 masonry surmounted by umbrellas from which garlands are 

 hung : they contain relics. In form they are similar to the 

 dagabas at Anuradhapura, and to the fine stone model at 

 the Ruwanweli dagaba ; the bas-reliefs found at Bharhut, 

 Sanchi, and Amravati are of interest as showing the magni- 

 ficent decorations of these buildings and the mode of 

 adoration. (See Fergusson's Indian and Eastern Architec- 

 ture, Book I., cap. 3), and for illustrations of Tree and 

 Dagaba Worship, see Fergusson's Tree and Serpent Wor- 

 ship, plate XXVIII. 



The wheel-symbol holds an important place in the ancient 

 sculptures. The finest example of it at Bharhut (plate 

 XIII., 3) is fortunately labelled Bhagawato damma chakam, 

 ( the wheel of the Law of Buddha.' The inscription is on the 

 top of the temple, in which is placed the wheel as an object 

 of worship, surmounted by an umbrella and adorned with 

 garlands. Below it, in a four-horse chariot, Parasenajita, 

 King of Sravasti, who was a contemporary of Buddha, is on 

 his way to the sacred symbol : on the gateway he has just 

 passed is inscribed Raja JSasenaji Kosala. In the Sanchi 

 sculptures is a striking scene of wheel-worship (Fergusson's 

 Tree and Serpent Worship, plate XXIX., fig. 2) in a deer 

 park, representing no doubt the Mrigadawa, where Buddha 

 first and chiefly taught. 



The last objects of reverence here to be noticed are the 

 j foot-prints of Buddha, in connection with which I will bring 

 before you the Sankisa ladder scene of the Bharhut sculp- 

 tures. The legend briefly is this Buddha visited the 

 heavens to preach his doctrine to the D6vas and his mother 

 Maya De"vi. After three months he determined to re-visit 



c2 



