Untitled

Unknown

ca. 3rd century · Limestone · Asian Art

The semidivine celebrant here is an anthropomorphic depiction of a serpent deity (naga), identifiable by the cobra hoods rising above his head. He is attired in a princely manner, wearing enormous conical earplugs (compare to those displayed nearby). The assimilation of nagas into Buddhism is a recurring theme in early religious literature. Associated with water and its riches, nagas represent one of the most powerful of the nature spirits that controlled the spiritual landscape of pre-Buddhist India. It was thus essential for monks to subjugate the power of the nagas; to this end Buddhist rituals evolved to influence the coming of the rains.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 3rd century

Medium

Limestone

Culture

India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1933