10

Ajanta Paintings to Know About!

17 July 2024

1. Vajrapani

It is said that Vajrapani uses the ‘vajra’ to defend the Buddha and his teachings. His eyes pointed nose, and plump lips convey a powerful and majestic assurance in honeycomb-style design.

2. Padmapani

The unknown artist emphasized Padmapani's full lips, thin nose and waist, almond-shaped eyes, and sinuous, elongated eyebrows using light and shade.

3. Buddha and Rahula

The fresco depicting Buddha and Rahula, shows Gautama Buddha, visiting Kapilavastu accepts a bowl of rice from his son Rahula, who carries an inquisitive expression.

4. The Dancing Girl of Ajanta

The hand gestures give the dancing girl of Ajanta, an S-shaped rhythm and fluidity of line.  The arms are spotted in purple and white, and the body is a simple shade of yellow.

5. Thousand Buddhas of Ajanta Cave

The Thousand Buddhas of Ajanta Cave or The Miracle of Sravasti painting showcases an assortment of small Buddha figurines sitting in different yoga positions.

6. Bhagavatprasuti

The birth of the Gautama Buddha or Bhagavatprasuti begins with Maya, the queen of Kapilavastu, seeing a vision of a white elephant with six trunks.

7. Dhanapala Narrative

The Dhanapala narrative depicts Buddha defeating the Nalagiri elephant. King Ajatashatru’s enraged pink pet elephant is shown running berserk in the streets.

8. Udayin Narrative

Udayin narrative tells the tale of Udayin and Gupta, covered in flashes of orange, emerald blue, vermillion, and red.

9. Painting of King Mahajana

The painting of King Mahajana depicts the fable of King Mahajanaka who aspired to become a monk and follow Gautama Buddha's teachings.

10. Samsara Chakra

he ‘wheel of existences’ or Samsara Chakra showcases six possible forms of existence within the wheel segments. There are gods, humans, animals, and ‘asuras’ (demi-gods), ghosts and hell-dwellers.