An image of the Buddha reclining on his right side represents which event?
- A.Birth at Lumbini
- B.Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar
- C.Taming of the elephant Nalagiri
- D.Descent from heaven
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, the Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar. The reclining image, lying on the right side with the head resting on the hand and the eyes half closed, shows the Buddha's final passing away, and the colossal figures at Kushinagar and Ajanta are the examples usually cited. Option A is wrong because the birth at Lumbini is shown by the standing Maya Devi holding a branch of the sal tree, with the child emerging from her side, and in early art by a lotus and an elephant. Option C is wrong because the taming of the mad elephant is a narrative scene with the animal kneeling before a standing Buddha. Option D is wrong because the descent from heaven is shown as a flight of steps with the Buddha's footprints. Four events, four places: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar.
Read the full article: Iconography of Indian Art: Mudras, Avatars, Symbols
Practice Questions
View allThe Bhumisparsha mudra of the Buddha represents which event of his life?
- A.The first sermon at Sarnath
- B.The enlightenment at Bodh Gaya
- C.The great renunciation
- D.The death at Kushinagar
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In the Bhumisparsha, or earth-touching, mudra the Buddha sits with the left hand in his lap and the right hand lowered with the fingers pointing to the ground, calling the earth to witness that he had earned the right to enlightenment against the temptations of Mara.
Read the full explanation →Which mudra of the Buddha is associated with the first sermon at Sarnath?
- A.Dhyana mudra
- B.Abhaya mudra
- C.Dharmachakra mudra
- D.Varada mudra
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The gesture joins the thumb and forefinger of each hand into a circle, the wheel, and holds them before the chest, marking the turning of the wheel of law in the deer park at Sarnath, where the Buddha preached to his first five disciples.
Read the full explanation →The conch of Vishnu is known by which name?
- A.Sudarshana
- B.Panchajanya
- C.Kaumodaki
- D.Sharanga
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Vishnu is recognised by four attributes, and each has its own name: the conch Panchajanya, the discus Sudarshana, the mace Kaumodaki and the lotus.
Read the full explanation →Which avatar of Vishnu is depicted as a boar?
- A.Kurma
- B.Varaha
- C.Narasimha
- D.Vamana
Show answer
The correct answer is B, Varaha, the boar, third in the usual sequence of ten avatars, carved either fully as a boar or with a boar's head on a human body, often lifting the earth goddess on one tusk.
Read the full explanation →The Nataraja image shows Shiva performing which dance?
- A.Ananda tandava
- B.Lasya
- C.Garba
- D.Chhau
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The Nataraja shows Shiva within a ring of flames, hair flying, the damaru drum in one hand and fire in another, the right foot pressing down the dwarf of ignorance called Apasmara and one hand raised in the gesture of protection; the form is linked with Chidambaram and is the…
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