| Abstract: |
The taming of the mad elephant Nālāgiri at Rājagra is traditionally regarded as one of the "eight miracles" in the life of Śākyamuni Buddha. Although the incident is relatively less important than the others, it deserves attention for the way it has been rendered in visual art. Usually found as part of a composite life-scene stele, the event is also singled out for independent depiction on separate slabs. Apart from sculpture it is a favorite subject in mural and miniature paintings, too. In most cases the Tathāgata is shown to subdue the charging elephant simply by extending his right hand towards the animal, or else by actually touching its forehead. There are, however, some instances where this conventional mode of depiction is made somewhat more vivid by the introduction of a set of five minuscule lions, seemingly springing out of the leonine motif in the context of the story. The archaeological evidence from both India and Southeast Asia is explored and all likely clues available in literary sources are taken into account. As it appears, the five lions constitute a graphic statement of the Indian concept of pancaśīla, or the five moral codes of conduct of the Buddhist tradition.
|
