Match List - I with List - II.
| List – I (Sanchi Sculptures) | List – II (Symbolic Meaning) |
| (A) Empty seat | (I) Auspicious Symbol |
| (B) Wheel | (II) Strength and Wisdom |
| (C) Shalabhanjika | (III) First Sermon of Buddha |
| (D) Elephants | (IV) Meditation of Buddha |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)
(A) Empty seat — this matches (IV) Meditation of Buddha. Early sculptors showed the Buddha’s presence through symbols; the empty seat indicated the meditation of the Buddha.
(B) Wheel — this matches (III) First Sermon of Buddha. The wheel stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath.
(C) Shalabhanjika — this matches (I) Auspicious Symbol. The shalabhanjika, a woman whose touch made trees flower and bear fruit, was probably regarded as an auspicious symbol and so used to decorate the stupa.
(D) Elephants — this matches (II) Strength and Wisdom. Animals were often used as symbols of human attributes; elephants signified strength and wisdom.
NCERT (2026-27): “9.2 Symbols of worship … Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form – instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa (Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath.… 9.3 Popular traditions … However, after examining other literary traditions, they realised that it could be a representation of what is described in Sanskrit as a shalabhanjika. According to popular belief, this was a woman whose touch caused trees to flower and bear fruit. It is likely that this was regarded as an auspicious symbol and integrated into the decoration of the stupa.… 9.3 Popular traditions … Also, animals were often used as symbols of human attributes. Elephants, for example, were depicted to signify strength and wisdom.…”
|
