Buddha and Vajrapani

PAKISTAN

Vajrapani, the protector of the Buddha, is often depicted with the Buddha in Gandharan sculpture. This relief dates to the early Gandhara period.
The Buddha has a prominent usnisa, a bulbous nose, and a mustache. He leans to one side with the right hand raised and grasps the robe with the left hand. Vajrapani stands directly behind the Buddha. He has long wavy hair, a beard, a mustache, and a muscular physique. The tunic Vajrapani wears leaves the right shoulder bare. He holds a vajra in one hand and a whisk over his head, as if protecting the Buddha from evil spirits. It is believed that this piece was part of a larger relief portraying Devadatta’s attempt to harm the Buddha.