Last Existence: Taming of the Elephant

Part of a relief preserving two scenes from the Last Existence. The base consists of a plain listel, the cornice of band decorated with a row of half roundels with a border. The back face shows vertical tool marks. The scenes are separated by a framed male figure standing in right profile. He is carrying an object, possibly a bowl, in his hands. He has short and curly hair. He is naked and only adorned with ornaments, including ring-shaped earrings, a short necklace, a flat band armlet, and anklets of the basic type. The scene on the right depicts 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 releases 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. The animal is shown walking in right profile. His skin is spotted. In the background, three figures, probably all male, are carved in right profile with joined hands. The scene on the left preserves a monk standing in left three-quarter view. His right hand is raised up, the left is covered over the overrobe. Next to him is Vajrapāṇi. He is standing frontal and bearing the vajra in the left hand. His hair is short and curly. He wears a short tunic of the exomis type and possibly boots.