Note 73 — PLATES XXXIV, XXXV EMBROIDERY PICTURE OF ŚĀKYAMUNI ON THE VULTURE PEAK
Reading edition
Some connexion might perhaps be sought with an early legend relating to Śākyamuni’s stay on Gṛdhrakūṭa. While engaged in meditation within a grotto, he was believed to have pushed his right arm through its rock-wall in order to reassure his disciple Ānanda, whom Māra, in the shape of a vulture, had frightened; cf. Foucher, L’art gréco-bouddhique du Gandhâra, i. p. 497.