The Great Departure

Panel I.a65, Borobudur

This is a closeup from a Lalitavistara panel on the west side on the monument. It narrates Shakyamuni's departure from his palace at Kapilavastu, on the beginning of his spiritual journey. Gods Indra (with umbrella) and Brahma lead Shakyamuni's horse, while flying apsarasas cushion the horse's feet so as not to awaken the palace's inhabitants. The prince is seated on his horse in a variant of royal ease, almost as if the saddle were a throne.