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14
RAVI HAJARNIS
SAMBODHI-PURĀTATTVA
Nandi with Gauri-Samkara, Koteśvara is assignable to c.12h-13th cent. A.D. Here the bull is placed near the left leg of Siva. It is very small. The Vrsa has the head slightly fitted up and it touches the hanging left leg of Gaurī.49
Nandi as free Standing Sculpture:
Nandī, Goraj district Baroda is the earliest and the biggest free standing Vrsa sculpture from Gujarat. To know the actual place of this Nandi and its NandiMandapa, Archaeological Survey of India laid a small trench.50 The diggings brought to light damaged brick structure with four courses which may perhaps be a part of a pedestal of this big sized Nandī. Presently this Nandi is found in front of the modern siva temple at Goraj. B.M. Pandey assigned it to the Maitraka period. Si But Goraj Nandī is rendered on the śāmalājī tradition which prevailed in this area during Ksatrapa-Gupta period; and hence, it could be assigned to the earlier period of the late Ksatrapa-Gupta period on the stylistic ground. The brick of the pedestal also suggested the same age.52 However, this needs more confirmation.
An excellent early sculpture of the Nandī hails from Śāmalājī is now in the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, Vadodara. It is carved in schist (measurement 80 x 37.5 cms. approx.). The mouth part is broken. The neck ornament is akin to that of the Vrsa of Siva from Sāmalājī. A ghugharmālā passes from the back of the hump. U. P. Shah remarks that the energy and vitality of the animal, even when at rest, has been shown with admirable skill.53 The dewlap folds are not worked out in detail. According to M. A. Dhaky, it shows a few peculiarities of the Karnātā Vrsa.54 A twisted rope-like chain encircling the neck is reminiscent of the one in the Vrsa standing behind the Vībhadra from Śāmalājī. The big eye suggests his submissiveness to his master. Stylistically this fine specimen could be ascribed to c.6th cent.A.D. (P1.VI)
Another Nandi (bull) from Sāmalājī, originally hailing from Ranchhodji temple, śāmalājī is presently in the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai. It is
nable to c.6th cent. A.D.55 The horns and the mouth are broken. The dewlap folds and hump are realistic. A twisted rope chain encircles the neck which reveals similarity to the bull behind the standing Śiva from śāmalājī. The garland has ghugharas alternating with Fly whisks; all suspended from a broad strip. Similar garland also appears in the Nandī from Sandhida, which is assignable to c.7ih cent.
