Report On Elura Cave Temples and Bramhanical and Jaina Caves in Western India

SR No.: 011091
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Trubner and Company London
Publication Year: 1883
Total Pages: 209
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 14 MB

Page 24

DUDDHIST CAVES OF ELUR1.
On the right-hand wall of this antechamber, facing the figure above described (pl. xiii, fig. 2), and close to the dwârapala, on the right side of the door, supposed to represent Manjusri, is the sculpture given on plate xvi, fig. 3. The right hand of the central female figure is broken, but the attendant peacock and the pandit reading at her right, seem sufficient to point her out as Sarasvati,' who with the Hindus is the goldess of learning and eloquence, and with the Buddhists is one of the wives of Mawjusri, and is perhaps the same as Lochani.
On the right side of the shrine is a panel containing three figures (plate xii, fig. ) on lotus scats. The left one may easily be identified as Avalokitesvara or Padmapåņi, with the lotus and rosary, and the deerskin over his shoulder; also a small figure of Amitabha Buddha on the front of his headdress. Whom the other two figures respectively represent is not so clear; the central one is very fat and holds what resembles a small book in his left hand, and some round object in his right, while his headdress is unlike any other. He has rich armlets, heavy earrings, a necklace and janci or sacred thread, as a Brahman. The third figure holds a small flower in his right hand, wears a high dress with a dâgaba on the front of it, a necklace, long ear-pendants, armlets, bracelets, and a thick cord worn as the janvi. Probably this is Mañjusri. All three have aureoles behind their heads. On the left side wall of the same room is a similar compartment, which contains first, to the right, a male figure with rich headdress, earrings, necklace, and janri ou bended knees, and attended by a female chauri-bearer presenting an offering. Behind bim is a female figure, probably his wife, also with rich turban and enormous earrings, on her knees and with her hands in the attitude of adoration. She is attended by a female dwarf, who bears a box or tray with presents, and over her head is a bird apparently placed as a sort of cognisance. Behind the female, again, bends on one knee a male figure with necklace and Brahmanical cord, holding something like a long bay or purse. Close to him is an elephant's head and fore-foot, with a small figure representing the driver leaning over its brow. This must be intended to represent some wealthy family making an offering to the care or its priests: it may be a prince with his wife and Diwan.
On each wall, above these panels, are three rows of three Buddhas each-all in the dharmachakra mudrá, as is also the great central figure."
CAVES VII. AND VIII. Plate xiv, fig. 1, gives the plans of Caves VII. and VIII., on the same scale as the Caves on plate lvii of The Cave Temples, of which they form the continuation on the north side. but are not marked on the general plan of the caves (plate ii) in consequence of their being under Nos. VI. and IX. Cave VII. is a vihara, just under No. VI., which has never been finished, and is now much ruined. It is 51, feet wide by 13 feet deep. The roof was supported by four square pillars, but three of them are broken away. In the back wall five cells are commenced, of which only two at the right end are finished. There are also three
1 She is a favourite with the Buildhists everywhere; in Japan she is called Benten, and in Tibet, Drang. chan-ma.- Asiat. Res., vol. xx, pp. 515, 535.
2 Observe the jewelled crescent on the left side of each turlan.
3 This mulra, so prevalent cverywhere in India, is either not represented at all at Doro-Dûdûr, or depicted in a somewhat different form.-Bôro-Boedoer, plate viii. The other mulris also differ slightly, e.g., in the Bhumisparsa, the right hand does not come so far over the knee as in Indian images.
4 See Cure Temples, plate lxi.