Sanchi Stupa 2: Elephant Relief

INDIA, Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi

This relief is found on the post of a railing at Sanchi Stupa 2. An elephant disporting itself in a pond of blooming lotus flowers symbolizes a wise person taking pleasure in knowledge according to the Questions of King Milinda in the Pali Canon. The sculptural style is firmer than at Bharhut and is dated slightly earlier. The lotuses are pushed up against the side of the medallion to accommodate an elephant on a much smaller scale. It throws back its trunk to spray water over its back, which gushes in separate streams and then breaks into a pattern of droplets. A decorative flower-head is carved above the curve of the trunk in the Indian tradition of filling all the space available.