Great Departure

This is the lower part of a stūpa gable broken on the right side. On the outside, superimposed clerestory balconies house figures looking towards the main scene. The border of the scene consists of a laurel torus. A double frame topped by an acanthus cornice probably represents the Kapilavastu gate. Emerging from this frame, the Buddha riding Kanthaka is depicted from the front. This composition is well known and common in Gandhāra bas-reliefs, especially where the reliefs are intended to occupy the centre of a set, to suit the taste for symmetrical composition. Between Kanthaka's legs emerges one of the geniuses who helps the Bodhisattva to leave the city quietly, lifting the crew to muffle the noise of the hooves. Three figures are depicted on the left side of the relief. Vajrapāṇi represented in the background, wielding the vajra. In the foreground and on the left side of the relief, a walking figure turns towards Siddhārtha. He is dressed in a short tunic and tight trousers, the costume of the kušan, and has an elaborate headdress. Armed with a bow, he gestures with his hand, seeming to invite the Bodhisattva to come forward. In the foreground and to the right of the relief is another figure; in the same posture, he seems to be wearing an antaravāsaka and is holding up an object that is difficult to recognise.

The figure armed with a bow has long been identified as Māra trying to dissuade the future Buddha from carrying out his plan. In this sense, the figure closest to Siddhārtha has been interpreted as a companion of Māra prefiguring his demonic army. In his article, Tanabe relying on literary canons identifies this character as Vaiśravana. In the Lalitavistara, at the time of the Great Departure, Indra and Vaiśravana precede the prince. He adds that in other sources Brahma is also present and Vaiśravana is sometimes replaced by Kubera.