Which of the following suggests that many people who turned to Buddhism enriched it with their own Pre-Buddhist beliefs, practices and ideas?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Shalabhanjika
The shalabhanjika motif – a woman whose touch was believed to make trees flower and bear fruit – suggests that many people who turned to Buddhism enriched it with their own pre-Buddhist and even non-Buddhist beliefs, practices and ideas.
NCERT (2026-27): “9.3 Popular traditions … Other sculptures at Sanchi were perhaps not directly inspired by Buddhist ideas. These include beautiful women swinging from the edge of the gateway, holding onto a tree (Fig.4.17). Initially, scholars were a bit intrigued about this image, which seemed to have little to do with renunciation. 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. The shalabhanjika motif suggests that many people who turned to Buddhism enriched it with their own pre-Buddhist and even non-Buddhist beliefs, practices and ideas. Some of the recurrent motifs in the sculpture at Sanchi were evidently derived from these traditions.…”
Fig. 4.17 The woman at the gate |
