Untitled

Unknown

first half of the 3rd century · Limestone · Asian Art

Of the many moments in the life of the historical Buddha told in the canonical biographies, two were especially favored for stupa decoration: the Great Departure and the Temptation. Both narratives are depicted on this drum panel from Nagarjunakonda. Each epitomizes the negation of desire, represented below by Prince Siddhartha’s renunciation of privilege to become an ascetic seeker of knowledge—the beginning of his spiritual journey—and above, by his resistance of the temptations offered by Mara, the force of darkness.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half of the 3rd century

Medium

Limestone

Culture

India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1928