The Tathagata was invited at Gaya by the naga-king Sudarc,ana to remain and partake of food (406: 18).

As we shall see by this and the three following reliefs, the sculptor has not restricted himself to what in the text and the life of the Buddha is most important, but takes the opportunity that occurs to give us some scenes very unimportant in themselves, but suitable for a fine relief. It would make no difference to our knowledge of the life of the Master or the contents of the Lalitavistara, if No. 115 followed direct on No. 110; but we should miss some scenes that are well worth attention on their own account.

The throne offered to the Buddha is very curious; the lotus cushion is laid on an octagonal seat ornamented with lions, the back is plain and above it is a canopy on four columns. The Buddha is seated, the right hand stretched out on the right of the relief, so that there is only room for one naga umbrella-bearer to stand there. On the other side of the throne are two umbrellas, a pair of pedestals, a vase with lotuses, a pair of large gems and a very indistinct object, that seems to be a sort of dish or fIowerstand with incense rising from it. The rest of the relief is all naga's in two rows, one standing and one sitting in the foreground, males to the right, females to the left. Most of them hold a gift, among which besides the usual dishes and flowers we see a conch shell and several gems. One of the naga's is sitting with his back to the spectator and we can see how the sculptor imagined the snake's hood fastened to the body at the back.