Nagarjunakonda Sculptures

INDIA, Andhra Pradesh

The ancient site of Nagarjunakonda in Andhra was once named Sri Parvata and served as capital to the Andhra Ikshvaku period (circa 3rd–4th century). Although most of the Ikshvaku kings were Hindu, their wives were Buddhist, and Buddhism flourished under this dynasty. At its peak, Nagarjunakonda housed around thirty Buddhist monasteries, some with associated stupas. Excavations began during the 1920s and since then have produced many significant finds. The sculptures are skillfully executed in the local limestone and often consist of narrative reliefs on pillars, railings, casings and copings. The majority are concerned with the life of the historical Buddha, and also some of his former lives, and are generally grouped in series.
The story depicted in the relief here derives from the commentary to the Dharmapada. The Buddha is teaching the four friends of a recent convert, who then ask to be ordained as monks too. The Buddha is seated cross-legged under a roof and turns to the right, where the young men are sitting with palms lifted in reverence. Like them, he wears a monastic robe which leaves the right shoulder bare. Divided from this scene by a column on the left, there are three other figures.