Old Bramhi Inscriptions In Udaygiri And Khandagiri

SR No.: 020516
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Benimadhab Barua
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1929
Total Pages: 354
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 323

NOTES
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case of such names as Hāthi-Gumphā (the Elephant-cave), Chota-HāthiGumphā (the Small Elephant-cave), Vyāghra-Gumphā (the Tiger-cave), Sarpa-Gumphā (the Snake-cave), Ajagara-Gumphā (the Python-cave), and Ben-Gumphā or Bheka-Gumphā (the Frog-cave), we find that all of them were suggested by the general shapes of the caves designated by them, particularly their front views creating appearances of the foreparts of the animals or creatures indicated in them. It is very striking indeed that the front view of the cave known by the name of Hāthi-Gumphā suggests the appearance of just the forepart of a royal elephant sitting majestically on its front legs. Such an appearance was appropriate to the cave which was to bear on the hanging brow of its projected roof the famous inscription of His Graceful Majesty King Khāravela. Similarly, the appearance of a small elephant was appropriate to the Chota-Hāthi. Gumphā which was to bear an inscription of Prince Vaduka-Varikha's.
The most remarkable is the front view of the Vyāghra-Gumpbā sug. gesting the appearance of the head of a tiger with its distended jaws. No one can mistake that the front view of the Sarpa-Gumphā suggests the appearance of the upraised large hood of a cobra, or that the front view of the Ajagara-Gumphā suggests the appearance of the gaping mouth of a python. In the same way, none can mistake that the front view of the Ben-Gumphā or Bheka-Gumpbā suggests the appearance of the open mouth of a frog.
In the absence of all of the caves it is difficult to say if there were not, amongst them, some caves with their front views suggestive of the appearances of animals other than the elephant and the tiger, and of creatures other than the cobra, the python and the frog. One fact, however, is certain that one can still trace shapes of the same creature, whether it is snake or frog, in a set of two or more caves, say, for instance, in the roofs of four or five caves that have sunk down on two sides of the hill of Udayagiri.
(3) Pātālapura, (4) Mañcapuri (Yamapura ?), (5) Haridās Gumphā (Chota-Häthi-Gumphā), (6) Sarpa-Gumphā, (7) Vyāghra-Gumphā, (8) Ganesa-Gumphã, (9) Jagannāth-Gumphā, (10) Svargapuri or Alakāpuri, (11) Rāni-Gumpha, (12) Jaya-Vijaya, (13-20) eight nameless, these being the caves on Udayagiri ; (21) Ananta-Gumphã, (22) Navamuni, (23-24) Sātbakhrā or Sātgharā group of two caves-the Barbhuji and the Trisula, (25) supposed cave of Lālatendu, (26-27) two nameless, these being the caves on Khaņdagiri. Be it noted that one of Ganguly's nameless cave on Udayagiri is known by the name of Jambesvara or Ben-Gumphā, and that among the caves on Khaqdagiri, one is known by the name of Tattva-Gumphā I, another by that of Tattva-Gamphi II, a third by that of Durg&-Gumphä, and a fourth by that of Hanumān-Gumph&.