Ashoka built the Sarnath pillar to
commemorate the site of the first preaching of
Lord Buddha, where he taught the Dharma to
five monks. The Lion Capital of Ashoka
comprises four lions, standing back to back,
mounted on a cylindrical abacus. The abacus
features the sculptures of an elephant, a
galloping horse, a bull, and a lion, separated by
intervening 24-spoked Dharma wheels over a
bell-shaped lotus. The four animals in the
Sarnath capital are believed to symbolize
different phases in Lord Buddha's life. The
Elephant is a representation of Queen Maya's
conception of Buddha when she saw a white
elephant entering her womb in dream. The Bull
represents desire during the life of the Buddha as
a prince. The Horse symbolizes Buddha's
departure from palatial life whilen represents the
attainment of Nirvana by Lord Buddha.