LION CAPITAL

The capital of Sarnath pillar was executed during the reign of Ashoka in the 3^rd century between 242-232 B.C. to commemorate the first sermon of the Lord Buddha’s Sarnath on the eight-fold path of salvation. It is the finest specimen of the Mauryan period found in 1904 and was designed by Emperor Ashoka himself. This capital was adopted as the National emblem of India by the Indian government on 26^th January 1950, when India became a republic.

Sarnath

It is carved and well-polished out of seven feet high single sandstone. The capital is decorated with gently carved reverse petals of the lotus, which appears like Persepolis bell. The capitals are mounted on the circular abacus, decorated with high relief carving of four wheels called Dharma Chakra that alternate with a lion, an elephant a bull, and a galloping horse. Those animals are supported to be related with man incidents of Lord Buddha. Elephant for pregnancy, Bull for birth, Horse for playing, and Lion for self-personality. On the top of the abacus, four lions are sitting back to back and facing the four cardinal directions i.e, north, south, east, and west. The rippling curls of their mane, the upturned whiskers, the snarling's mouth, and bared teeth form the beauty of the sculpture. The carving of the leg muscles, strong paws, and claws depicts the natural strength and ferocity of the lion. Now it’s a collection of Sarnath Museum, Sarnath.