Maya’s Dream

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Time Period
C. 2nd Century CE, Kushana, Gandhara

Location found
Mardan, Peshawar (North-West part of undivided India)

Dimension
H:18 cm, W:6 cm, L:27 cm

Material
Schist Stone

Number Assigned
Accession No. 3697/ A23248
Indian Museum, Kolkata, West Bengal

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The Maya’s Dream relief from Gandhara portrays Queen Maya Devi reclining on a couch, dreaming of a white elephant, Tushita entering her womb-a symbol of the Buddha’s miraculous conception. Executed in gray schist, the sculpture reflects the Greco-Buddhist artistic synthesis, combining classical naturalism with Buddhist narrative themes. Attendants and celestial figures surround the queen, enhancing the scene’s sacred significance. This relief illustrates the Gandharan artists’ skill in expressing profound religious symbolism through graceful, realistic forms.

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