Indian Antiquities

Buddha Imparting Protection, c.5 A.D, Red Sandstone

Location: Ganatantra Mandap

A tranquil Mathura Buddha presides over all State functions in the historic Ganatantra Mandap of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Mathura was an important cultural center, being situated on the trade route connecting Taxila with Pataliputra. The Buddha metaphor of this school of art integrates aspects of Charavartin and Yogi , in its figural delineation. Draped in an Ubhayansika Sanghati, high ushnisha amidst meticulous curls of his hair, this Buddha in abhayamudra amalgamates sensuousness and spirituality. With a round face, concentration can be seen in his inward elongated eyes and arched eyebrows, imparting karuna. A sharp nose delineates his full lips and emphatic chin.

Confirming to mahapurushalakshanas, Buddha’s elongated earlobes and half closed eyes with an inward look add to the beauty of his samabhag stance with cadenced folds of drapery revealing the form underneath. The right hand appears to be in abhayamudra while left hand holds the drapery. Both legs rest fixed atop a red velvet pedestal. A halo with diverse foliage patterns exhibit dissimilarity with the minimalistic form. A row of lotus petals lead to rosettes in a circular formula. Meandering volutes with spiral foliage further augment the circular rows of beaded pattern on the spherical halo.