Final answer:
The aniconic footprints at Sanchi symbolize the Buddha's path to enlightenment and his teachings, reflecting an early Buddhist preference for symbolic rather than anthropomorphic representations, central to spirituality and worship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The representation of Buddhapada at the Stupa in Sanchi, characterized by aniconic footprints adorned with chakras, symbolizes the Buddha and his ultimate departure or parinirvana. This aniconic nature was significant during the early stages of Buddhism, reflecting the hesitancy to depict the Buddha in human form. Instead, symbols like footprints, the Bodhi tree, and the Dharma wheel were used to convey his presence and teachings. The footprints with chakras represent the mark of the Buddha's path towards enlightenment and his teachings that wheel the cycle of life towards liberation. The aniconic portrayal played a central role in Buddhist spirituality and worship, as it focused on the conceptual rather than the anthropomorphic, allowing devotees to contemplate the divine qualities of the Buddha and the path laid out by him.