ELEPHANT A. 



563 



the representation of a liurnnn scull is consp'cuous on 

 the covering of the head. One hand grasps a mon- 

 strous Cobra di Capella, the other a smaller one ; the 

 whole calculated to strike terror and amazement ; the 

 length, from the crown of the head to the chin, is G 

 feet, exclusive of the cap, which is 3 feet more. 



The bust, or trimurti as it is called, is entire with 

 the exception of Brahma's two hands, which are quite 

 destroyed. On each side of the bust is seen a gigantic 

 figure leaning on a dwarf, all much defaced. On the 

 right is a large square compartment, loaded with a va- 

 riety of figures; the largest of which, 16 feet high, 

 is the consort of Seva, represented with one breast. 

 The figure has four arm*, the foremost right hand leaning 

 on tlie bull Nundi, the other grasps a Cobra di Capella, 

 while the inner left hand bears a circular shield. The 

 head is richly decorited. A male, bearing an instru- 

 ment resembling a trident, appears on the right hand ; 

 on the left a female holding a mace or sceptre. Brah- 

 ma is seen with four heads, sitting on a lotus, while, as it 

 is supposed, :ndra and Indranee are represented on 

 an elephant near him. Here Vishnoo with four arms, 

 appears mounted on the shoulders of Garuda. Above 

 this assemblage are seen small figures, in different atti- 

 tudes of adoration, supported by clouds. Correspond- 

 ing with this niche, is another on the left of the bust. 

 Here two figures are conspicuous, the one a male 14 

 feet high, said to represent Seva ; the other a female 

 10 feet, who is Parvati his wife. The circular rings, 

 worn by the Hindoo women at present, are seen on 

 the legs and wrists of the female; the mode of braid- 

 ing the hair the same ; and the countenance expressive of 

 gentleness. Vishnoo and Garuda are here pourtrayed 

 :i the other niche, while the heads of most of the at- 

 tendant small figures have a whimsical appearance of 



inr, exactly resembling our wigs. Niebuhr, one 

 of the most intelligent traveller? who have visited 

 Elephanta, not possessed of that know lodge of Fastern 

 antiquities, requisite to illustrate and explain the sculp- 

 tures, from his own observation, has drawn conclu- 

 -, rather fanciful than just. Of the figure, nprv- 



1 with one breast, he remarks, that it thence ap- 

 pears, that the s-tory of the Amazons was not unknown 

 to the Indians ; but this, Ix'yoml Niebuhr's assertion, 

 we have no reason to suppose the case. It lias been 

 more reasonably deduced, by those acquainted with 

 Indian mythology, that it is intended in this figure, 

 considered as male and female, to represent the active 

 power of Seva, as Bawani or Cour.irje, and as Isani or 

 the goddess of nature. The above ingenious ] 

 appears to us not more happy in his conclusion of wigs 

 being of Indian invention. This peculiarity of feature 

 in the symbols, we conceive to be of foreign extraction. 

 and rfiat the sculptor, in merely designing to represent 

 curly and bushy hair, has given them the grotesque ap- 

 pearance of a wig. But these conjectures cannot detract 

 from Niebuhr's general merit as a traveller, who must 

 be regarded PS a person of singular intelligence and 

 erudition. But we shall pursue our description of the 

 remaining most remarkable figures. 



On each side of the above described groups, is a dark 

 room, or recess, formerly inaccessible to all, perhaps, 

 but the Brahmins ; but now in undisputed possession 

 .if bats, scorpions, and snakes. On the left of the last 

 mentioned assemblage, is observed another group, of 

 which the mot remark.ible figure is a male, leading a 

 female towards a majestic'person seated in the corner of 

 the niche, his head covered like ourjudges on the bench. 

 The countenance and attitude of the female are expressive 



of timidity and reluctance. A male urges her forward. Elephanta. 

 Here several small figures are introduced. All the fe- * ""/*"' 

 males have ornaments similar to those worn by the Hin- 

 doo women at present, round the wrists and legs ; the 

 male's ornaments, bearing the same correspondence, 

 round the wrists alone. This resemblance, however, 

 assists us but little in ascertaining the date of the sculp- 

 tures ; the same customs and dress have been in im- 

 memorial u*e among the natives of India, as at this 

 day. 



The attention is forcibly arrested by a figure on a 

 niche of equal dimensions with the last, opposite to it, 

 and 50 feet nearer the entrance of the cave. It is a 

 gigantic half length of Seva, or the destroyer, in ac- 

 tion, represented with eight arms, and a belt of human, 

 skulls around his neck. A right hand grasps a sword 

 uplifted to sever a victim. A Cobra di Capella rises 

 under one arm ; a human skull is conspicuous on the 

 head. Small attendant figures are pourtrayed in dis- 

 tress and pain. Many of the figures are mutilated, as 

 is the principal, whose aspect indicates unrelenting 

 fierceness. 



On the other side of the cave, near one of the small 

 rooms above mentioned, are seen Seva and his consort, 

 represented sitting in the manner of the country at this 

 day. A bull reclines at the feet of Seva ; in each cor- 

 ner of the niche stands a gigantic guard. On each side 

 of the entrance, is a niche loaded with figures, all much 

 defaced and mutilated. In an apartment, half way up 

 the cave, is inclosed the lingum. The space is entered 

 on the four sides, where are placed eight colossal statues 

 differently decorated. Compartments on both sides of 

 the great cave, separated from it by large fragments of 

 rock, which perhaps formerly composed the roof, 

 present several pieces of sculpture ; the most remarka- 

 ble is Ganesea, or the Hindoo God of Wisdom, with a 

 human body and an elephant's head, such as he is re- 

 presented in the temples throughout India. 



The cave and its decorations appear evidently to be 

 dedicated to Neva the destroyer. A conviction of the 

 harmony of the proportions of these gigantic figures, 

 reconciles the mind to view them with complacency. 

 Many of them were measured by a scale of proportions,. 

 allowed to be the most correct ; and were found not to 

 deviate more from the standard, than the disproportions 

 which the configuration of the human body daily pre- 

 sents. Other excavations are in the vicinity, but being 

 still unexplored, they are probably of comparative in- 

 significance. 



The islanders, who are said to have fled hither from 

 the opposite island of Salsette, to avoid the persecution 

 of the Portuguese, and who now live in tranquillity 

 under their Banyan tree, say the cave was formed by 

 the gods ; nor has a much more satisfactory account 

 yet been traced, than what these simple people give, at 

 least with regard to the date of its construction. 

 Marks of dilapidation and ruin are evident throughout 

 the whole 'tructure. This mutilation is said ;o have 

 been the effect of the Portuguese cannon, dragged to 

 the spot for the purpose of desolating the shrines of 

 idolatry. How often is the page of the history of na- 

 tions stained by fanaticism assuming the features of 

 the most sanguinary superstition, while, in the pursuit 

 of the objects of its vengeance, it erases the fairest mo- 

 numents of art, and abandons itself up to every species 

 of outrage and licentiousness ! However characteristic 

 persecution and the sword may be, of the spirit of Ma- 

 hometanism, they find no sanction from the mild and 

 benevolent doctrines of Christianity. 



