DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0406
384 ■Buddhist cave-temples.
figures seated on a high basement, with the right foot down and
resting on a lotus, and the left turned under her. The one next
the corner on each side has four arms, and holds a maid or rosary
and a crooked rod; she is, doubtless, the counterpart of some Hindu
Devi, like Lakshmi or Saraswati, introduced into the Buddhist
mythology. On the back wall on each side are three similar figures,
but all with two arms, and each holding some symbol, as a flower,
vajra, &c. They sit on padmdsanas, or lotus-thrones, supported by
imga-canopied figures, standing among lotos leaves, fish, birds, &c.
They are perhaps Lochana, Tara, and Mamukhi, female counter-
parts of the Bodhisattwas we have already met with in the shrines.
Above all are four Buddhas on each division of the back wall, and
five on each end wall.
In the shrine is the usual very large squat Buddha, which the
natives persist in worshipping as Eama. His nose and lips have
long been wanting, but these as well as mustachios are supplied in
plaster, and whenever they fall or are knocked off, their place is
speedily restored by fresh ones. On his left is Padmapani or Ava-
lokiteswara, with a chauri, and, as usual, a small figure of Amitabha
Buddba on the front of his cap ; next to him is a figure with a bud;
then one with a long sword on his right, with a flower in his left
hand; a fourth with a fruit and flower or small chauri, and the fifth
with some unrecognisable object and a branch or flower. On
Buddha's left are Vajrapani and four other similar figures. On the
inside of the front wall are a male and female—the male with a
purse and money. Above, on each side, are squatting figures or
Buddha.
In the north side of the court of this cave is a small one with two
pillars in the east face, and containing a water-cistern.
This is the last of the Buddhist caves here; it bears decided
evidences of belonging to the latest form of the Mahdydna sect n
India, and was perhaps one of the latest executed—probably no
before 700 a.d.
figures seated on a high basement, with the right foot down and
resting on a lotus, and the left turned under her. The one next
the corner on each side has four arms, and holds a maid or rosary
and a crooked rod; she is, doubtless, the counterpart of some Hindu
Devi, like Lakshmi or Saraswati, introduced into the Buddhist
mythology. On the back wall on each side are three similar figures,
but all with two arms, and each holding some symbol, as a flower,
vajra, &c. They sit on padmdsanas, or lotus-thrones, supported by
imga-canopied figures, standing among lotos leaves, fish, birds, &c.
They are perhaps Lochana, Tara, and Mamukhi, female counter-
parts of the Bodhisattwas we have already met with in the shrines.
Above all are four Buddhas on each division of the back wall, and
five on each end wall.
In the shrine is the usual very large squat Buddha, which the
natives persist in worshipping as Eama. His nose and lips have
long been wanting, but these as well as mustachios are supplied in
plaster, and whenever they fall or are knocked off, their place is
speedily restored by fresh ones. On his left is Padmapani or Ava-
lokiteswara, with a chauri, and, as usual, a small figure of Amitabha
Buddba on the front of his cap ; next to him is a figure with a bud;
then one with a long sword on his right, with a flower in his left
hand; a fourth with a fruit and flower or small chauri, and the fifth
with some unrecognisable object and a branch or flower. On
Buddha's left are Vajrapani and four other similar figures. On the
inside of the front wall are a male and female—the male with a
purse and money. Above, on each side, are squatting figures or
Buddha.
In the north side of the court of this cave is a small one with two
pillars in the east face, and containing a water-cistern.
This is the last of the Buddhist caves here; it bears decided
evidences of belonging to the latest form of the Mahdydna sect n
India, and was perhaps one of the latest executed—probably no
before 700 a.d.