Buddhist art of Ajanta

Chaitya, Cave 26. The stupa is carved with a figure of the Buddha seated in the pralambha pada posture. It has elaborate carvings of the standing Buddha, Avalokitesvara, and so forth. The pillars have carvings, bracket figures and friezes on top. The vaulted roof has stone-ribs, creating an illusion that they are wooden beams.

Mahakapi Jataka, Cave 17. The Bodhisattva, born as a monkey, took pity on a man who fell into a deep pit in the forest. It jumped into the pit and carried the man to safety on its back. However, when the tired monkey was sleeping, the ungrateful man, who was hungry, tried to kill it by throwing a big stone at it. But the generous monkey did him a good turn by showing him the way out of the forest.

Lady at her toilet, Cave 17. In this offbeat painting, the artist portrays an aristocratic woman admiring herself in the mirror. Maids are on either side of her and there is a female dwarf too. the woman is wearing elaborate jewellery. Adjacent to the painting is a scene from Simhalavadana, a Jataka tale.

Hasti Jataka, Cave 17. The Bodhisattva, born as a good-natured elephant, threw itself down from a hilltop so that he could become food to hungry travellers. The panels show the travellers feasting on the meat of the animal. Cave 17, a vihara, is a veritable paradise of murals. Every inch of its walls has been painted with gallery after gallery of Jataka tales and hundreds of geometrical and floral motifs.

Bodhisattva Padmapani, Cave 1. This is the most well-known and appreciated painting at Ajanta. The Buddha and his consort are shown holding lilies in their hands. The artist has featured fly-whisk and mace bearers, an amorous couple, and a kinnara (half-human, half-bird) music band. Padmapani is wearing a tall crown, a necklace and armbands.

Mahaparinirvana, Cave 26. This massive sculpture, 24 feet long and nine feet tall, in a chaitya is on the passing away of the Buddha. The Buddha is reclining on his right side and behind him are two sala trees. On the base of the sculpture are shown his begging bowl, water pitcher and walking stick. Ananda and other disciples are shown sitting in mourning. Sculpted on top are celestials who are rejoicing because of the Buddha's arrival in heaven.