DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0409
AURANGABAD CAVES. 387
the lotus stalk he grasps in his right hand, at the top of which is
also a figure of Buddha, we may suppose it was meant for Padma-
pSotti or Avalokiteswara, and the more elaborately-dressed one on
the other side for Indra. Bach is attended by a vidijddhara or gan-
dharm and by a Ndga figure with the five-hooded cobra. Inside
is a seated Buddha, 9 feet high, his feet on a lotus footstool, and
his hands in the dharmachakra or teaching mudrd, with celestial
admirers over each shoulder. On the walls are four rows of smaller
figures, each with his attendant clmtiri bearers, and some in the
Jhfim and others in the dharmachakra mudrd.
The walls of the pradaJcshind are also covered with multitudes of
similar figures. This cave is hardly earlier than the first, but not
separated from it by any long interval. They were probably exca-
vated within the same century.
Cave III.—The next is the finest cave in the group. It is a vihara,
of which the hall is 41i feet wide by 42^- feet deep, with twelve
columns, all richly carved in a variety of patterns combining the styles
of Caves I. and XXVI. at Ajanta.1 One pillar and a pilaster on
Plate LXVL illustrate the style, but as all are varied, and some richer
than even these, they convey no idea of the richness of effect produced
oy the elaborate and elegant decorations of this cave. On each side
of the hall are two cells, and a room or chapel with two pillars in
front; those on the left side are marvels of elaborate sculpture. The
verandah has been 30^ feet long by 8 feet 9 inches wide, with four
pillars in front, and a chapel at each end, but it is entirely ruined.
J he antechamber to the shrine has two pillars and pilasters in front,
*ith struts from their capitals consisting of female figures stand-
,ng under foliage. The shrine is occupied by the usual colossal
Kuudha, his feet down, and hands in the dJiarmachakra mudrd,
"t the face and one knee have been damaged. (For Plan and
details, see Plate LXVL)
lt has one striking peculiarity, however, not noticed elsewhere,
mely> two groups of worshipping figures about life-size which
uPy the front corners of the shrine, seven on one side and six
e °ther, both male and female, some with garlands in their
X, Vj°.r',etails see Archaeological Reports, vol. iii. pp. 64-72, and Plates XLUT. to
BB 2
the lotus stalk he grasps in his right hand, at the top of which is
also a figure of Buddha, we may suppose it was meant for Padma-
pSotti or Avalokiteswara, and the more elaborately-dressed one on
the other side for Indra. Bach is attended by a vidijddhara or gan-
dharm and by a Ndga figure with the five-hooded cobra. Inside
is a seated Buddha, 9 feet high, his feet on a lotus footstool, and
his hands in the dharmachakra or teaching mudrd, with celestial
admirers over each shoulder. On the walls are four rows of smaller
figures, each with his attendant clmtiri bearers, and some in the
Jhfim and others in the dharmachakra mudrd.
The walls of the pradaJcshind are also covered with multitudes of
similar figures. This cave is hardly earlier than the first, but not
separated from it by any long interval. They were probably exca-
vated within the same century.
Cave III.—The next is the finest cave in the group. It is a vihara,
of which the hall is 41i feet wide by 42^- feet deep, with twelve
columns, all richly carved in a variety of patterns combining the styles
of Caves I. and XXVI. at Ajanta.1 One pillar and a pilaster on
Plate LXVL illustrate the style, but as all are varied, and some richer
than even these, they convey no idea of the richness of effect produced
oy the elaborate and elegant decorations of this cave. On each side
of the hall are two cells, and a room or chapel with two pillars in
front; those on the left side are marvels of elaborate sculpture. The
verandah has been 30^ feet long by 8 feet 9 inches wide, with four
pillars in front, and a chapel at each end, but it is entirely ruined.
J he antechamber to the shrine has two pillars and pilasters in front,
*ith struts from their capitals consisting of female figures stand-
,ng under foliage. The shrine is occupied by the usual colossal
Kuudha, his feet down, and hands in the dJiarmachakra mudrd,
"t the face and one knee have been damaged. (For Plan and
details, see Plate LXVL)
lt has one striking peculiarity, however, not noticed elsewhere,
mely> two groups of worshipping figures about life-size which
uPy the front corners of the shrine, seven on one side and six
e °ther, both male and female, some with garlands in their
X, Vj°.r',etails see Archaeological Reports, vol. iii. pp. 64-72, and Plates XLUT. to
BB 2