Beschreibung:

GANDHARAN BUDDHA ON NALAGIRI ELEPHANT 3rd-4th century AD or later A schist panel depicting the Buddha in monastic robes, left hand held up and right holding a bowl, seated on the elephant Nalagiri with tree arching over figures; in front is prince Devadatta seated on a horse; to the front of him a female in long robes offering a pot with flowers, behind her a male figure (Maitreya ?) holding a staff, small kneeling figure of a devotee, hands in prayer; mounted on a custom-made stand. 29.4 kg, 51cm including stand (20"). Fine condition. Provenance Private collection, North London; acquired in the early 1990s. Footnotes The Story of Nalagiri, the mad elephant, is one of the better-known legends in the Buddhist tradition. Scenes of the Buddha taming a rampaging elephant with the power of his love appear in Buddhist art across southeast Asia, while the city of Rajgir, where the story takes place, has become a site of pilgrimage. Devadatta was the cousin of the Buddha who became one of his disciples. In his early days, he was a good monk known for his grace and psychic powers. Later he became conceited with worldly gain and fame. As his ill-will and jealousy towards the Buddha increased, he became the greatest personal enemy of the Buddha. Devadatta tried on a number of occasions to kill the Buddha, his third and final attempt was to set lose an enraged elephant to kill the Buddha. When Nalagiri saw the Buddha coming at a distance, it raised its ears, tail and trunk and charged at him. As the elephant came close, the Buddha radiated his loving-kindness towards the elephant. So vast and deep was the Buddha's love that as the elephant reached the Buddha, it stopped, became quiet and stood before the Master. The Buddha then stroked Nalagiri on the trunk and spoke softly. Respectfully, the elephant removed the dust at the master's feet with its trunk, and scattered the dust over its own head. Then it retreated, with its head facing the Buddha, as far as the stable, and remained fully tamed. This scene shows the Buddha seated on the back of Nalagiri whilst the defeated Devadatta looks on.