Paitava: Life of the Buddha - Miracle at Sravasti

AFGHANISTAN, Parwan, Bagram

The sculpture was unearthed from what was once the ancient region of Kapisa. It illustrates the miracle of the Buddha at Sravasti, when he caused fire to leap from his shoulders and water to pour from below his body.
The levitating figure of Sakyamuni is damaged so only the flames show at the shoulders. The left hand which secures the fold of the monastic robe about the arm is visible, and the right hand is raised in abhaya (fearlessness) mudra. The oval mandorla behind the Buddha shows Brahma and Sakra tipped towards each other at the top, each carrying a parasol and scattering flowers. Four worn Buddhas are seated beneath canopies below Brahma and Sakra. The figure to the upper right clearly depicts the Ascetic Sakyamuni, while the rest portray other incidents in his life.