162 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



Case 13. 



This case contains a bronze finial from the top of a dagaba at 

 Polonnaruwa. Near this case is a large bronze cauldron from 

 Anuradhapura, which was possibly used for dyeing priests' robes. 



Case 14. 



This case contains two figures of Siva as Nataraja. Both bronzes 

 are without the halo, and one of them without the whirling braids. 

 There is also a figure of a Devi or goddess standing, from Polon- 

 naruwa. Another figure of Siva is seen seated at ease {suhhasana), 

 with his Consort Parvati or Siva-Kami. On Siva's crown are the 

 sun, moon, and the Ganges. In one of his hands he holds a deer, 

 in another a battle-axe ; in other respects the ornaments are as in 

 Case 15. Parvati holds a lotus bud in her hand. Both figures are 

 seated upon the lotus throne or fadmasana. Next is a figure of 

 Siva in one of his dances called Sandy amrtto . Under the case is a 

 copper patra or begging bowl from Polonnaruwa, excavated by the 

 Archseological Survey in 1908. (See Plates XIV. and XV.) 



Case 15. 



This figure, which is perhaps the most noteworthy bronze in the 

 collection, is of Siva as Nataraja, the lord of the universe. The 

 whole figure symboHzes the activity of the lord in the universe, his 

 five acts — Creation, Preservation, Destruction, Embodiment, and 

 Release. " Our lord," says a Tamil text, " is the Dancer who, like 

 the heat latent in firewood, diffuses his power in mind and matter 

 and makes them dance in their turn " — a poet's intuitive perception 

 of an idea of the nature of matter not far removed from the concep- 

 tions of modern science. Of concrete symbols, the drum in one 

 right hand signifies creative sound, the vibratory movement 

 initiating evolution ; the flame in one left hand symbolizes the 

 converse, activity, destruction, involution. The hand upraised says 

 to the worshipper, " Fear not," and the other points to his foot, the 

 refuge of the soul. The right foot tramples on a demon, representing 

 the cosmic illusion of empirical reality. The Ganges, in the form 

 of a mermaid, and the crescent moon are set in his streaming hair. 

 One cobra wreathes itself about his arm , another is twisted in his 

 locks. Upon his brow blazes the third eve of spiritual wisdom, 

 (See Plate X.) 



SOUTH VERANDAH (Room B). 



A heavy large Portuguese cannon in copper, with the Portuguese 

 coat-of-arms on it, will be found here. It was dredged by the 

 " Merak " in 1888. This cannon most probably belonged to the 

 Portuguese warship commanded by Francisco Perera, which was 

 wrecked in the Colombo harbour* in 1613. 



Almost opposite will be found a stone slab bearing the royal 

 arms of Portugal, found at Menikkadawara in the Kegalla District. 



In this verandah will also be found a pillar and inscription (dated 

 1550) which were unearthed at the Chartered Bank premises in 

 Colombo, in 1906. The pillar is elaborately carved, the design 

 being peculiar and unlike those hitherto found in the Island. It 

 seems Dra vidian in style, and somewhat like the lion pillar 



