34. The procession to the temple

 

Thus, while praise and rejoicing sounded everywhere and the streets, crossways, markets and gateways were dressed with innumerable adornments, king Cuddhodana set forth after decorating the carriage of the prince within the palace, accompanied and followed by brahmans, teachers of the veda's, chiefs of the guilds, heads of families, councillors, rulers of the frontier, guardians of the gateways, followers, friends and relations, with the prince along the road, that was sprinkled with perfumes, strewn with blossoms, filled with horses, elephants, carriages and troops on foot, where umbrellas, flags and banners were planted and all kinds of music resounded. A hundred thousand gods drew the carriage of the Bodhisattva and many hundred thousand millions of koti's of the gods sons and apsaras scattered showers of blossoms in the air and made melody upon instruments of music. (119: 11).

 

Comparing the text with what is represented on the relief, it is interesting to notice the way in which the Barabudur sculptors worked. Here they had to depict the procession of Cuddhodana and his son with attendants, and that the sculptor has given, but he has passed over au the details in the description. To begin with the gods are left out, those who were to draw the carriage as well as those who enlivened the journey with music and flowers. No notice has been taken of the selection of the king's company according to the text, or of the appearance of the road. What remains is as follows: A large four-wheeled carriage and four, with canopy, in which are sitting the king, the Bodhisattva, with his usual crescent ornament, and two female attendants. The driver is seated on the shaft, behind the carriage crouches a soldier. In front and behind are servants and guards, the last of whom in the front group carry bow and arrows, in the back one, swords. In this way the sculptor carried out the instructions.