A Study of Semi-Divine Beings of Hindu Origin as Represented in the Buddhist Sculptures of Gandhara

Abstract

Gandhara art is the expression of mythology, belief and culture on diverse nature of materials in the artistic form. This artwork has solved many academic issues in the reconstruction of ancient history, mainly focusing classical period. Here, Gandhara art is utilized to reconstruct the mythologies of Semi-divine Beings related to Hinduism expressed in the Buddhist narrations of Philosophies in artistic form. This work establishes the connection between Hinduism and Buddhism as sharing the Semi-divine Beings around the central figures of veneration. Thus, this research reveals the deep connections of Buddhism with Hinduism as the philosophies of Semi Devine Beings have been originated from the earlier ages pre-Vedic period and continues until now. Therefore, the Indian mythologies related to semi- divine beings, in Hindu text are visibly expressed in the Buddhist art of Gandhara with its consistent development. The semi-divine beings selected here for this research includes yakshas and yakshinis, gandharavas and apsaras, and nagas andnaginis. These are the most prominent semi-divine beings which have been depicted in gandhara art besides its narration in the religious texts. Yakshas and yakshinis are mostly described in Hindu mythologies, as Semi-divine beings, heavenly beings, protector deities, lower class of beings and demons. They are mentioned in connection with major gods as a witness of the important events. Gandharvas and apsaras are the heavenly musicians, entertainers and helpers of the gods. And the nagas were the oldest venerated beings known to Indian mythologies before the Aryan’s emergence and they made their way into Vedic cultures. This thesis focuses on these three privileged classes of semi-divine beings which are depicted sub-servient to gods as their assistants and entertainers. The researcher has not only looked for the religious texts and myths to trace the origin and elaborate the development and importance of these semi-divine beings but has also identified and described them from the perspective of Buddhist art of Gandhara. This thesis has been presented in seven parts i.e., The Buddhist Art of Gandhara, yakshas and yakshinis, gandharvas and apsaras, nagas andnaginis and the last three parts consist of a catalogue where these semi-divine beings are identified in Gandharan Buddhist art. DRSML QAU ix All the three classes of Semi-divine Beings have also been adopted into Buddhism from Hinduism with little changes in their functions as depicted in the Buddhist Art at different occasion with Lord Buddha.