Buddha

This is perhaps the only image known to be considered an artefact from Burma which is inscribed with a donatory Sanskrit inscription in Kutila script of Eastern India in the 11th -12th century. The Buddha can be seen as seated cross-legged in bhumisparsha-mudra on a cushion a kirtimukha in the centre. The base on which the cushion rests is a saptaratha adhishthana with seven graduated projections in front and is rounded at the back. The pedestal shows a wheel, a woman, a horse, a pot-bellied male, a man with a sword, an elephant and a couchant lion. They have been identified as the seven jewels. The man with the sword represents the general and the lion represents the precious stone. Each of the seven projections is converted into a niche supported on moulded pillars. An inscription is inscribed below at the base.