Bala Bodhisattva

The Bala Bodhisattva is an ancient Indian statue of a Bodhisattva, found in 1904–1905 by German archaeologist F.O. Oertel (1862–1942) in Sarnath, India. The statue has been decisive in matching the reign of Kanishka with contemporary sculptural style, especially the type of similar sculptures from Mathura, as its bears a dated inscription in his name.[3] This statue is in all probability a product of the art of Mathura, which was then transported to the Ganges region.[4]

Bala Bodhisattva
The Bala Bodhisattva with shaft and chatra umbrella, dedicated in "the year 3 of Kanishka" (circa 123 CE) by "brother (Bhikshu) Bala". The right arm would have been raised in a salutation gesture. Sarnath Museum.
MaterialRed sandstone
Sizeabout 205 cm
Period/culture123 CE
PlaceSarnath, India
Present locationSarnath Museum, India
Findplace, Sarnath, India is located in India
Findplace, Sarnath, India
Findplace, Sarnath, India
Chatra umbrella of the Bala Bodhisattva
Underside of the stone umbrella with designs, probably a Zodiacal pattern, similar to the fully Greek-derived zodiacal patterns of Medieval India;[1] Its diameter is 304 centimetres (120 in).[2] Sarnath Museum, Accession Number 348.

Iconography

Bala Bodhisattva, though found in Sarnath, reflects stylistic and iconographic features of Mathura region. Mathura school sculptures have common iconographic features with Kushana counterparts but they show independebt evolution due to purely Indic stylistic heritage.[5] The use of caharacetristic red sandstone also indicates that the image belonged to Mathura school. The inscriptions on both the atue and its umbrelle or chhatra indicate that it was a gift from a Buddhist monk named Bala.

Indic Influence

The figure stand in a strictly frontal position which is completely upright in a linear fashion. Thus posture is a continuation of traditional portrayal of yaksha and chauri figures of Maurya-Shunga times. Coomarawamy, thus, wrote that the images of Buddha evolved from strictly Indian inspiration and repertoire.[6] The portly body and fleshy physique are similar to early Indic sculptures and not a muscular male figure that entered the north-west region with the Indo-Greeks. Even the garment, lower dhoti tied securely with a stash on the waist is also similar to other images of the Mathura school. The upper torso of a Buddha is not shown bare, therefore, unlike usual representations of male figures, thin clinging cloth with discernible pleats go across the left shoulder and hang on his arm. Despite the damage, it can be said that the facial features like a stiff smile, round face also show Indic style.

Buddhist Features

The inscription identifies the figure as Bodhisattva but many iconographic features, of the statue, such as costume, lack of jewellery and ornamentation, show that it was a Buddha. It is also noteworthy that here is a lion between the feet of the image. Lion was the royal insignia of the sakya clan, in which Gautam Buddha was born. This makes it highly likely that the statue is representing Sakyamuni Buddha himself.[7] The term Bodhisattava is indicative of spiritual journey and may be used for a Buddha as well. It literally means an enlightened being. Shaven head is also in contrast with Ushnisha in images from north west. The right arm was probably in traditional Abhaymudra as indicated by fragments found near the statue. A halo, now lost, must have been behind his head. The large umbrella or chhatra above the head signifies the rank and high status of the person portrayed but also states that the person had attained enlightenment. The underside of the umbrella is carved with many Buddhist symbols like Lotus, beats and other auspicious symbols.

Inscription

The inscription on the Bodhisattva explains that it was dedicated by a "Brother" (Bhikshu) named Bala, in the "Year 3 of Kanishka". This allows to be a rather precise date on the sculptural style represented by the statue, as year 3 is thought to be approximately 123 CE.

The inscription further states that Kanishka (who ruled from his capital in Mathura) had several satraps under his commands in order to rule his vast territory: the names of the Indo-Scythian Northern Satraps Mahakshatrapa ("Great Satrap") Kharapallana and the Kshatrapa ("Satrap") Vanaspara are mentioned as satraps for the eastern territories of Kanishka's empire.[8]

Main inscription
Complete inscription of Bhikshu Bala on the octagonal shaft of the umbrella, with the phrase Mahārājasya Kāṇiṣkasya "Of The Great King Kanishka" at the beginning.
Inscription on the octagonal shaft

There are altogether three inscriptions, the largest one being the inscription on the octagonal shaft of the umbrella. The octagonal shaft and its umbrella are visible in "Avatāraṇa: a Note on the Bodhisattva Image Dated in the Third Year of Kaniṣka in the Sārnāth Museum" by Giovanni Verardi.[9]

Original text:
1. mahārajasya kaṇiskasya sam 3 he 3 di 20-2
2. etaye purvaye bhiksusya pusyavuddhisya saddhyevi-
3. harisya bhiksusya balasya tr[e]pi[ta]kasya
4. bodhisatvo chatrayasti ca pratisthapit[o]
5. baranasiye bhagavato ca[m]k[r?]ame saha mata-
6. pitihi saha upaddhyayaca[rye]hi saddhyevihari-
7. hi amtevasikehi ca saha buddhamitraye trepitika-
8. ye saha ksatra[pe]na vanasparena kharapall[a]-
9. nena ca saha ca[tu]hi parisahi sarvasatvanarn
10. hita[szc]sukharttham

Translation:
1. In the year 3 of the Great King Kaniska, [month] 3 of winter, day 22:
2–3. on this aforementioned [date], [as the gift] of the Monk Bala, Tripitaka Master and companion of the Monk Pusyavuddhi [= Pusyavrddhi or Pusyabuddhi?],
4. this Bodhisattva and umbrella-and-staff was established
5. in Varanasi, at the Lord's promenade, together with [Bala's] mother
6. and father, with his teachers and masters, his companions
7. and students, with the Tripitaka Master Buddhamitra,
8. with the Ksatrapa Vanaspara and Kharapallana,
9. and with the four communities,
10. for the welfare and happiness of all beings.
[10] [11]

Inscriptions on the base of the statue

There are also two smaller inscriptions of similar content at the base of the statue:

At the front of the base of the statue:
"The gift of Friar Bala, a master of the Tripitaka, (namely an image of) the Bodhisattva, has been erected by the great satrap Kharapallana together with the satrap Vanashpara."[12]

At the back of the base of the statue:
"In the 3rd year of the Maharaja Kanishka, the 3rd (month) of winter, the 23rd day, on this (date specified as) above has (this gift) of Friar Bala, a master of the Tripitaka, (namely an image of) the Bodhisattva and an umbrella with a post, been erected."[12]

Style

The style of this statue is somewhat reminiscent of the earlier monumental Yaksha statues, usually dated to a few centuries earlier. On the other hand, despite other known instances of Hellenistic influence on Indian art, very little if any such influence can be seen in this type of statue. Thus, they are quite different from the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara.[13] This statue is in all probability a product of the art of Mathura, which was then transported to the Ganges region.[14]

The discovery was published in the "Archaeological Survey of India Annual Report for the Year 1904–1905", in an article by F.O. Oertel pp. 59–104.

The statue is now in the Sarnath Museum.[3]

  • The remaining inscriptions, at the front and back of the base of the Bala Bodhisattva statue.
    The remaining inscriptions, at the front and back of the base of the Bala Bodhisattva statue.
  • Front and back views of the Bala Bodhisattva.
    Front and back views of the Bala Bodhisattva.
  • Frontal view
    Frontal view
  • Inside view of the Sarnath Museum, with the Lion Capital of Ashoka at the center, and the Bala Bodhisattva to the left.
    Inside view of the Sarnath Museum, with the Lion Capital of Ashoka at the center, and the Bala Bodhisattva to the left.

References
  1. Avatāraṇa: a Note on the Bodhisattva Image Dated in the Third Year of Kaniṣka in the Sārnāth Museum, by Giovanni Verardi, East and West, Vol. 35, No. 1/3 (September 1985), pp. 73 JSTOR
  2. "Sarnath Museum Gallery-No3". www.sarnathmuseumasi.org.
  3. Papers on the Date of Kaniṣka, Arthur Llewellyn Basham, Brill Archive, 1969, p.271
  4. Bracey, Robert. The Date of Kanishka since 1960 (Indian Historical Review, 2017, 44(1), 1-41). p. 4, note 2.
  5. Huntington, Susan L.; Huntington, John C. (1985). The Art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain. Weatherhill. ISBN 978-0-8348-0183-7.
  6. Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. (1927). "The Origin of the Buddha Image". The Art Bulletin. 9 (4): 287–329. doi:10.2307/3046550. ISSN 0004-3079. JSTOR 3046550.
  7. Huntington, Susan L.; Huntington, John C. (1985). The Art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain. Weatherhill. ISBN 978-0-8348-0183-7.
  8. Source: "A Catalogue of the Indian Coins in the British Museum. Andhras etc..." Rapson, p ciii
  9. "Avatāraṇa: a Note on the Bodhisattva Image Dated in the Third Year of Kaniṣka in the Sārnāth Museum, Giovanni Verardi East and West Vol. 35, No. 1/3 (September 1985), pp. 67-101" JSTOR.org
  10. Salomon p.271-272
  11. Epigraphia Indica p.173
  12. Epigraphia Indica p.179
  13. "Origin of the Buddha Image, June Coomaraswamy, p.300-301" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  14. Bracey, Robert. The Date of Kanishka since 1960 (Indian Historical Review, 2017, 44(1), 1-41). p. 4, note 2.

Sources
  • Avatāraṇa: a Note on the Bodhisattva Image Dated in the Third Year of Kaniṣka in the Sārnāth Museum, by Giovanni Verardi, East and West, Vol. 35, No. 1/3 (September 1985), pp. 67–101 JSTOR

See also
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