West Gate of Stupa #1, Sanchi
From the rear of the lower architrave. The demon Mara has attempted to seduce and frighten the meditating Buddha (not shown) from his chosen course. In the center is a representation of the temple later erected at Bodhgaya, where this event took place. To the right, the demon hosts of Mara have been defeated by Buddha and flee in a disorderly retreat. To the left, a celestial host with musicians and drummers approaches in reverence. The contemporary temple and the legendary event are shown together, in such a way that legendary past and actual present seem to overlap, thus reinforcing both the reality of the legend and the sacredness of the site.
The scene continues on the left and right ends of the architrave; see the anchor page for its full extent.
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