What does the presence of the shalabhanjika motif suggest about people turning to Buddhism?

They incorporated their own beliefs into Buddhism

Among the sculptures at Sanchi, there are those that might not directly draw from Buddhist concepts. One such example features graceful women swinging from the gateway's edge while clinging to a tree. Initially, scholars found this depiction intriguing, as it appeared unrelated to the theme of renunciation. However, by delving into various literary traditions, they discerned a possible connection to the concept of a shalabhanjika, as described in Sanskrit.

According to prevailing beliefs, a shalabhanjika was a woman believed to have the power to make trees blossom and bear fruit with a mere touch. This intriguing interpretation transformed the seemingly unrelated image into a portrayal of an auspicious symbol. It's probable that this motif was woven into the stupa's ornamentation. The presence of the shalabhanjika motif points to the likelihood that many individuals who embraced Buddhism contributed their own pre-Buddhist and non-Buddhist beliefs, rituals, and notions.