Kanheri Cave 90: Buddha Teaching the Dharma

INDIA, Maharashtra, Mumbai

This relief is located on the right wall of Cave 90. The Buddha is centered in the upper section of the relief. He has a tall usnisa and tightly curled hair. He wears a thin robe which crosses the left shoulder; the robe is plain but for a few sparse folds. The Buddha’s hands are held in the Dharmacakra (Dharma wheel) mudra, and he is seated with legs pendent and his feet rested upon a lotus pedestal. On each side of the Buddha’s feet is a lion. The attendant Bodhisattvas and heavenly beings are arranged in order of height. The Bodhisattvas wear tall and impressive headdresses. They hold whisks in their left hands and stoles in their right. Heavenly beings next to them stand in tribhanga postures on lotus pedestals.
The lotus pedestal under the throne of the central Buddha has a long stem half the height of the entire relief, which symbolizes the central axis of the universe. Beneath the pedestal, naga kings support the base with their hands. Halfway up the lotus stem are two additional lotus pedestals upon which are seated Brahma and Sakra. In each corner of the image is a seated Buddha, similar to the main Buddha though smaller in size. The four corner Buddhas represent the spreading of the Dharma in all four directions. The two sides of the relief contain eight standing Buddhas, four on each side. This relief reflects the artistic style of the Gupta period (circa 320–550) with its natural flow, soft contours, and symmetry.