Parasol or Chatra

Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology

by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words

This page relates 鈥楶arasol or Chatra鈥� of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha鈥檚 life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.

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Parasol or Chatra

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[Full title: Different symbols visible in the 础尘补谤腻惫补迟墨 Art: Parasol or Chatra]

Significance:-

It was the desire for ambitious monarchs to acquire dominance of the umbrella over the universe. Thus the umbrella was the symbol of sovereignty. Such an umbrella was held as prince 厂颈诲诲丑腻谤迟丑补 departed from Kapil膩vastu on his horse 碍补峁囜弓丑补办补^[1]. In Buddhism the parasol (chatra) stood for spiritual sovereignty of the Master.

Depiction:-

In a 惭补丑腻产丑颈苍颈峁谤补尘补峁嘺 scene in the Madras Government Museum one can see an attendant holding the parasol behind the horse. In front of him is Candaka in soldier鈥檚 dress and a pair of joyous men. The focus of the scene is the riderless horse. However, the parasol signifies the Master鈥檚 presence^[2].

In another relief of 惭补丑腻产丑颈苍颈峁谤补尘补峁嘺 the rider less horse is depicted with a parasol (chatra). The man possibly Candaka is sculpted in front. This relief is preserved in the British Museum,^[3] (Pl 28c)

Another fragmentary drum slab from Archaeological Museum, 础尘补谤腻惫补迟墨, depicts a miniature 蝉迟奴辫补 where the worship of 狈腻驳补 Muchalinda is carved. A partially visible parasol symbolizes Master鈥檚 presence. 狈腻驳补s were tutelary deity and subordinate to Buddha. This relief may signify this aspect^[4].