A finely carved figure of a bodhisattva dressed as a North Indian prince in a long dhoti and an outer robe wrapped around his right shoulder. The left knee is bent creating a slight graceful movement. He is adorned with elaborate jewellery and a crested turban features a lion spewing jewels, and secured by a jewelled band culminating in finials of mythical sea creatures (makaras). The strong muscular torso and rounded face with a square jaw epitomises the youthful bodhisattva.Figures such as these are thought to be the young Shakyamuni as a prince before his act of renunciation. The makaras and lion decorating his turban identify him as such. Gandhara narrative reliefs extensively show him in his palace and departing from the palace to go in search of enlightenment. The popular account of the beginning of his path to enlightenment inspired such devotional images.
