Relief Panel Depicting Buddha Protected by Naga Muchilinda

Abstract

After enlightenment, Buddha is said to have been protected from severe flood and storm by Nāga Muchilinda, near Bodh Gaya. Nāgas are spirits of rivers and ponds. The event is depicted on Sanchi stupa where Nāga is depicted in human form with hoods behind head of Buddha under a tree symbolic representation of Buddha. At Amaravati Buddha footprints are depicted upon coiled and scaly body of a snake. The same scene is also depicted at Gaya in which Buddha is seated on the coiled body of Nāga. In Gandhāra, the Buddha is coiled by the Nāga and its seven hoods are protecting him from rain. The concept of representation is more protective as compared to the other.

In Gandhāra when Nāgas are in physical and verbal contact with Buddha are represented as a snake. But when paying homage to Buddha they are shown in human form with hood emerging behind the head. The concept of Nāgas in human form is perhaps to convey the idea of submission or adoration to the worshipper which is a human quality and not of snakes/serpents or the ancient belief found in the Indo-Pak sub-continent that the snakes have the power to transform themselves into human beings.