Image title: Figure 139: Buddha delivering his sermon

[original] Buddha délivrant son sermon, grotte 1, Ajaṇṭā (cliché W. Spink, 1968, American Institute of Indian Studies)

[transcription] Buddha delivering his sermon, cave 1, Ajanta (photo W. Spink, 1968, American Institute of Indian Studies)

Gallery information:

These plates originate from the book The Creation of an Iconography as based on Shaivite narrative (original title: “La création d'une iconographie sivaïte narrative”) which details the sculptures and construction temples of the Pallava dynasty (in the Tamil-speaking Southern India) near the end of the 7th century. Usually, such constructions were dedicated to Shiva having the walls adorned with representations of Siva in various embodiments: some benign, some fierce and sanguinary, others victorious and regal.