Last Existence: Buddha's Birth

Part of a relief with two superimposed registers, the upper one not preserved, the lower one depicting an episode from the Birth Cycle. The two registers are separated by a plain fillet. The lower scene is encased between two framed semi-columns of the Gandharan-Corinthian type. The base is plain. The back face shows horizontal marks of chisel. The lower scene depicts the Bath of Siddhārtha. Soon after his birth, Prince Siddhārtha walks seven steps and proclaims this was his last rebirth. Then, two streams of water poured by gods wash the body of the newborn. The infant is standing on a stool, of which only the outline is preserved. On both his sides, a kneeling female figure in profile is washing Siddhārtha. They are both possibly dressed in a long dhotī. Indra and Brahma are pouring water from a globular pot over Siddhārtha. Indra, recognizable by his vajra and his tiara (or mukuṭa?) is frontal while Brahmā is back turned. On both extreme sides, two male standing figures are depicted. The one on the right is frontal and with joined hands. His hair is pulled up in a knot. He wears a paridhāna and an uttarīya. The one on the left is frontal, his bust in right three-quarter view. He appears to hold a container in the right hand. His hair is pulled up in a knot. He wears a paridhāna and an uttarīya. In the background and on the left, the remains of a figure appear to be discernible.