The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Lion Capital at Sarnath is the finest extant example of Mauryan sculpture, commissioned by Emperor Ashoka to commemorate the first sermon of the Buddha, known as the Dhammachakrapravartana.
- Statement 1 is correct: The motif of the chakra (wheel) is central to the Sarnath capital. It represents the Dhammachakra (Wheel of Law) set in motion by the Buddha during his first sermon at Sarnath. This motif became a definitive symbol of the Buddhist Dharma across the entire spectrum of Buddhist art.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The abacus of the capital features four animals-a bull, a lion, an elephant, and a horse-separated by four smaller wheels. These animals are depicted in dynamic motion, appearing to march or gallop in a clockwise direction. They exhibit significant naturalism and energy, contrasting with the static rigidity found in some earlier archaic art.
- Statement 3 is correct: The capital features four lions seated back-to-back facing the four cardinal directions. As a freestanding pillar capital placed atop a monolithic column, it is a "sculpture in the round," specifically conceived and designed to be viewed from all sides, symbolizing the universal spread of the Dharma.
Key Takeaway: The Sarnath Lion Capital is characterized by the signature Mauryan polish, realistic anatomical modeling, and the symbolic representation of the Buddha's first sermon through the dynamic Dhammachakra motif.