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Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes

India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

first half of the 3rd century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 235

The lower scene shows Siddhartha on horseback leaving his father's palace in order to seek enlightenment. A groom leads the horse, whose hoofs are supported by ganas (semi-divine dwarves), so the people of the palace will not be awakened. The other figures are divine beings that have come to witness his departure from the material world. Above, the Buddha's enlightenment at Bodhgaya is shown. The evil god Mara attempts to thwart Siddhartha first by sending his beautiful daughters to tempt him and then by attacking the Buddha with his army of demons, here shown as ganas brandishing weapons and riding an elephant.

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda) — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes, Limestone, India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

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Title: Drum panel with Great Departure and Temptation of the Buddha scenes

Period: Ikshvaku period

Date: first half of the 3rd century

Culture: India (Andhra Pradesh, Nagarjunakonda)

Medium: Limestone

Dimensions: H. 56 3/4 in. (144.2 cm); W. 36 1/4 in. (92.1 cm); D. 6 in. (15.2 cm); Est. Wt. 854.3 lbs (387.5 kg)

Classification: Sculpture

Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1928

Accession Number: 28.105

Chronology

South Asia, 1-500A.D.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide

The Art of South and Southeast Asia: A Resource for Educators

The Art of South and Southeast Asia: A Resource for Educators

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