The correct option is (b) 2 only
Explanation
The the
Jatakas, a voluminous body of literature native to India concerning the previous births of Gautama Buddha. These stories illustrate the virtues (paramitas) of the Bodhisattva and are frequently depicted in early Buddhist art, particularly on the railings and gateways of stupas.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. According to the Mahakapi Jataka, the Monkey King (the Bodhisattva) did not make a bridge out of mango tree branches. Instead, he stretched his own body across the river to bridge the gap between the mango tree and the opposite bank. He tied a creeper to his waist and the tree, but finding it too short, he used his body to complete the bridge, allowing his followers to cross over his back to safety. The specific act of self-sacrifice-using his body as the bridge-is the central moral of the story.
- Statement 2 is Correct. This specific narrative is famously depicted in a relief sculpture (medallion) found at the Bharhut Stupa in Madhya Pradesh (circa 2nd century BCE). The sculpture visually narrates the story, showing the monkeys crossing over the body of the Monkey King while the human king of Varanasi watches from below.
Key Takeaway
The
Mahakapi Jataka is a significant Buddhist narrative highlighting the virtue of self-sacrifice. It is historically significant as a subject of narrative art on the railings of the
Bharhut Stupa.