Panel 1: Scenes of the Bodhisattva before his enlightenment
Śrāvastī: Jetavana Grove: Nava Jetavana Vihara
The panel depicts three separate scenes during the life of the prince prior to his enlightenment. The top scene captures the moment following his birth, when he took seven steps, lotus flowers sprouting beneath his feet. His mother, Māyādevī, holds a limb of a sal tree. In the middle section of the panel, the young Prince Siddhārtha, appears despondent on his throne, despite being surrounded by beautiful maidens. Finally, the bottom section of the panel shows the prince giving his royal garments to his servant after dismounting from his horse, Kanthaka; he then dons monastic robes and departs for a life as an ascetic.
Sravasti/DA Mahabodhi Stills/DSC_0157.JPG