Description

The fragment from the base of a stupa represents the scene of sage Asita predicting the future of the young Prince Siddhartha. The young Prince is seen on the lap of a bearded sage with matted hair. A royal figure seated on a high throne with legs resting on a lower stool is evidently Shuddhodana, father of Gautama. Looking at the auspicious marks on Prince Siddhartha, Asita predicted that Siddhartha will either become a universal monarch (chakravartin) or a supreme religious leader.