DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0430
408 BRAHMANICAL CAVE-TEMPLES.
it. He is represented as four-armed (Chatturbhuj)—the front left
hand resting on the calf of his leg, and the other holding up the
sahkha or conch-shell, one of his characteristic emblems.1 In the
front right hand he holds some object perhaps representing wealth
or fruit, and in the other his chakra or discus,—a sharp-edged
heavy quoit, which seems to have been used as a missile instrument
in early warfare by the Hindus, being thrown with force against
the enemy, and recovered by a string attached to it.2 He has
three necklaces, each formed with a mass of gems in front. Round
his waist is another belt of gems, while over his left shoulder and
under his right arm hangs a thick cord apparently formed of
twisted strands or strings of beads ; and again round his loins are
other richly embroidered belts; on his arms and wrists also he wears
rich armlets and bracelets. At his right, below, sits G-aruda, his
vahana or vehicle who carries him, and attends him also as a page.
Opposite to him is a little female figure with high muhata, which
may possibly represent Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu. Above these
stand two taller female figures, each holding a chauri or fly-flap:
they have jewelled headdresses and large chignons, out of which
rises a single cobra-hood overshadowing the head. These attendants
remind us of the supporters we so often find under the padmasanas
or lotus-thrones of figures of Buddha.
This large sculpture fills the end compartment of the verandah.
Under it is a plinth, the front of which is carved with little fa»
gambolling figures or ganas.
Turning to the right, we find on the back wall of the verandah
another large sculpture, and one which in the early ages seems to have
been a great favourite, for we seldom miss it in a Vaishnava shrine.
It is also repeated in several of the Saiva rock-temples of Elura,
and always in nearly the same form as here. It is the Varaha
or boar avatdra which Vishnu assumed to rescue the Earth from t e
Asura Hiranyaksha, the chief of the Danavas, who had carried it o
to the bottom of the ocean, when Vishnu, taking the form of a b
dived down and rescued it, after a contest of a thousand year*
Here he is represented again as four-armed, similarly dressed a.
1 Wilson, Vishnu Purana, 1st ed., p. 562 ; Harivamia, cap. 89; Wil&™ 1D
Res., vol. viii.; Moor's Hindu Pantheon, p. 2'3.
2 Harivamsa, cc. 9 and 215.
3 Conf. Harivamsa, cc. 41, 223, 224,
m
it. He is represented as four-armed (Chatturbhuj)—the front left
hand resting on the calf of his leg, and the other holding up the
sahkha or conch-shell, one of his characteristic emblems.1 In the
front right hand he holds some object perhaps representing wealth
or fruit, and in the other his chakra or discus,—a sharp-edged
heavy quoit, which seems to have been used as a missile instrument
in early warfare by the Hindus, being thrown with force against
the enemy, and recovered by a string attached to it.2 He has
three necklaces, each formed with a mass of gems in front. Round
his waist is another belt of gems, while over his left shoulder and
under his right arm hangs a thick cord apparently formed of
twisted strands or strings of beads ; and again round his loins are
other richly embroidered belts; on his arms and wrists also he wears
rich armlets and bracelets. At his right, below, sits G-aruda, his
vahana or vehicle who carries him, and attends him also as a page.
Opposite to him is a little female figure with high muhata, which
may possibly represent Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu. Above these
stand two taller female figures, each holding a chauri or fly-flap:
they have jewelled headdresses and large chignons, out of which
rises a single cobra-hood overshadowing the head. These attendants
remind us of the supporters we so often find under the padmasanas
or lotus-thrones of figures of Buddha.
This large sculpture fills the end compartment of the verandah.
Under it is a plinth, the front of which is carved with little fa»
gambolling figures or ganas.
Turning to the right, we find on the back wall of the verandah
another large sculpture, and one which in the early ages seems to have
been a great favourite, for we seldom miss it in a Vaishnava shrine.
It is also repeated in several of the Saiva rock-temples of Elura,
and always in nearly the same form as here. It is the Varaha
or boar avatdra which Vishnu assumed to rescue the Earth from t e
Asura Hiranyaksha, the chief of the Danavas, who had carried it o
to the bottom of the ocean, when Vishnu, taking the form of a b
dived down and rescued it, after a contest of a thousand year*
Here he is represented again as four-armed, similarly dressed a.
1 Wilson, Vishnu Purana, 1st ed., p. 562 ; Harivamia, cap. 89; Wil&™ 1D
Res., vol. viii.; Moor's Hindu Pantheon, p. 2'3.
2 Harivamsa, cc. 9 and 215.
3 Conf. Harivamsa, cc. 41, 223, 224,
m