Sunday Reading: Ajanta Exhibition

On 26th September,2021 we visited Ajanta Exhibition held by Shree Khodidas Parmar Art Foundation from 24 to 26 September.IN this exhibition many artist displayed various paintings and art of the caves.Though the caves have worn out,the artists have brought the beauty of these ancient caves through their artwork.

The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries A.D.), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, have had a considerable artistic influence.

Padmapani

Padmapani is a Bodhisattva or someone who is on the path of enlightenment or becoming a Buddha. He is the epitome of compassion and is a popular character in Buddhist iconography. In Indian illustrations, he holds the Padma or the lotus flower thus being called Padmapani or the “One who holds a lotus in his hand”. The Sanskrit word “pani” means hand.

Vajrapani

Vajrapani is a Bodhisattva who is known to be the protector. He holds a thunderbolt or the Vajra in his right hand and is thus called Vajrapani or the “One who holds the thunder in his hand”.

Padmapani, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Vajrapani, the Bodhisattva of Protection are frequently found flanking statues and images of the Buddha.

Buddha-Yashodhara-Rahul painting in Ajanta Cave 17

At the far end of the cave, beside the sanctum sanctorum was a painting that depicted a poignant episode in the life of Buddha.

It is well-known fact that Prince Siddhartha deserted his wife Yashodhara and newborn son Rahul when he left home to meditate and achieve enlightenment. After Siddhartha came back to Kapilavastu on attaining enlightenment and becoming the Buddha, he came to meet his wife at her door. Yashodhara sent their son, young Rahul to Buddha for seeking his father’s inheritance and the little boy left with him to become a monk. This moment was beautifully visualized in the painting in this cave.