Buddha and devotees; Last Existence: Taming of the Elephant

Part of a frieze with separated scenes illustrating episodes from the Last Existence. The recessed base includes a decorated band with a row of overlapping leaves of pipal between two plain fillets, a plain torus, and a straight fillet. The cornice has a row of saw-teeth topped by a plain fillet. On the proper right face of the object there are 2 sockets. On the top face, on the sides, there are two sockets for cramps. A Kharoṣṭhī mark is carved near each socket. Irregular tool marks are scattered on the back of the relief. The figurative field includes two scenes separated by an encased pilaster of Gandharan-Corinthian type with a short flute on the shaft; an identical dividing element also appears on the left side, separating a narrative scene from the depiction of a tree with crown with parted branches spreading upward and downward with lanceolate leaves. The first scene depicts the Buddha with devotees. The Buddha sits in dhyānamudrā and padmāsana on a low seat with grass, wrapped in the saṃghāti with covered hands and feet. His hair is pulled back in locks with separated uṣṇīṣa. On both sides of the Buddha stand a devotee in three-quarter profile with joined hand. They wear uttarīya and paridhāna, a necklace, large earrings. The one on the right also wears bracelets on both wrists; his hair is arranged in regular ringlets spreading from the top of the head and framing the face. The other devotee wears a turban. To the proper right side of Buddha’s head there is a branch emerging from the background. The next scene represents the Taming of the Elephant. The story tells of one of the many attempts of the jealous Devadatta to kill his cousin the Buddha. One day, when the Buddha was in Rājagṛha, Devadatta released a mad elephant to harm the Blessed One. The animal rushes against the Buddha but its fury is contained by his loving-kindness. Caressing the forehead of the elephant with a calming hand, the Buddha pacifies the animal. On the right, a standing monk holds an alms bowl in his left hand. A man stands with his back turned next to him. He only wears a laṅgoṭī and turned his head toward the monk. The Buddha stands at the centre of the scene; he pets the forehead of the elephant with his right hand while his left hand is raised, perhaps holding a hem of his saṃghāṭi. The animal is shown walking in right profile with only three of his legs visible. On the top right corner of the scene stands a squared element suggesting an architectural setting, perhaps the gate of the city of Rājagṛha.