Final answer:
The Stupa with seated Buddha in Ajanta Cave 19 reflects Gupta artistic styles, including the pralamba padaasana position which shows Greco-Roman influence, and an abundance of Buddha images to symbolize the omnipresence of Buddha's teachings and rebirth in Buddhist philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Stupa with seated Buddha in Ajanta Cave 19, a Chaitya Hall from the late 5th century, evidences the artistic and religious zenith under the Gupta dynasty. It features the pralamba padaasana or pendant legs position, mirroring statuary in Rome, showing a blend of Indian and Greco-Roman art indicative of the era's cosmopolitanism. This stylistic choice may also hint at the Gandharan influence, where the drapery on Buddha statues bore a similarity to the Greek toga. The presence of over 1000 Buddha images in Ajanta Cave 19 serves to symbolize the omnipresence and repeated nature of Buddha's teachings, resonating with Buddhist themes of rebirth and the cyclical process of Samsara. This emphasis on visual abundance was a significant way to convey these teachings and to create an immersive environment for meditation and reflection.
Cultural significance can further be discerned in the Gupta era meriting the growth of Buddhism as evident from the universities like Nalanda and the proliferation of Buddhist art. The Gupta period did not enshrine the ruling class in stone but favored divine figures such as Krishna and Buddha, which underscored a diversification of religious practice and the tolerance within the empire. Similar artistic and architectural marvels, like the sculptural walls at Nalanda or the Mahabodhi Temple, are testimonies to the Gupta noble patronage that enabled a syncretic fusion of art, religion, and philosophy.