Sanchi Stupa 1: Life of the Buddha - Departure and Renunciation

INDIA, Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi

The relief is located on the front of the middle crossbar of the stupa’s eastern gateway. Altogether there are four episodes depicted on this crossbar, running from left to right. The work is aniconic and Prince Siddhartha is represented by symbols such as the white horse, the parasol, and footprints.
The prince left the palace secretly in the dead of night according to Buddhist texts. However, the city is packed with people, all seeing him off in the scene depicted here. The horse is carried by the Four Heavenly Kings, while behind it there is a man looking back at the city, probably Chandaka the charioteer.
The next scene illustrates the prince paying a visit to a sacred tree surrounded by railings. This event occurred during the prince’s youth when he entered into meditation under it. The space above is filled with deities joyously celebrating.
The third scene sees the prince being escorted by deities toward the Anavama River. The prince has reached his destination and dismounted from Kanthaka, his horse, in the top right hand corner. A whisk shielded by a parasol and located above a pair of wheeled footprints represents the prince’s renunciation of the world. Chandaka is seen prostrating before the footprints.
Chandaka is leading the horse away while gazing backwards in the last scene. He carries the prince’s royal clothes in his right hand. Three heavenly beings are seen pushing Kanthaka away, showing the horse’s unwillingness to leave.