Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Ancient India: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings

Question:

The 'Gajalakshmi' sculpture is represented as:
1. Surrounded by elephants
2. Surrounded with lions
3. Surrounded with tigers
4. Surrounded with two lotus flowers

Options:

1

2

3

4

Correct Answer:

1

Explanation:

Another motif features a woman encircled by lotuses and elephants, which appear to shower her with water, akin to an abhisheka or consecration ritual. While some historians attribute this figure to Maya, the Buddha's mother, others associate her with Gajalakshmi, a widely recognized goddess symbolizing good fortune and associated with elephants. It's equally feasible that those who observed these sculptures interpreted the figure as both Maya and Gajalakshmi, embracing both perspectives.