SCULPTURES AT MAHA BALIPGORUM. 71 



polifhed flab, about ten feet in length, the figure of 

 a fingam couchant, at the fouth end, is fhewn you as 

 the couch of theDHERMA Rajah. A fhort way further, 

 the bath ufed by the females of the palace is pointed 

 out. A tale I fufpect fabricated by the Brahmens to 

 amufe the traveller. That fome of their own cad had 

 chofen this fpot, retired among rocks difficult of 

 accefs to refide in, and that the bath, as it is called, 

 which is only a rough ffone hollowed, was their refer- 

 voir for water, would have an air of probability. The 

 couch feems to have been cut from a ffone accidentally 

 placed in its prefent fituation, and never to have made 

 a part of the internal furniture of a building. The 

 fingam, if intended as a lion, is equally imperfect with 

 the figures of the fame animal before- mentioned. 



Defcending over immenfe beds of Hone, you arrive 

 at a fpacious excavation ; a temple dedicated to Si'va, 

 who is reprefented, in the middle compartment, of a 

 large ftature, and with four arms ; the left foot refts 

 on a bull couchant; a fmall figure of Bra'hma on the 

 right hand; another of Vishnu on the left; where 

 alfo the figure of his goddefs Parvati' is obferved. 

 At one end of the temple is a gigantic figure of Vish- 

 nu, fleeping on an enormous Cobra de Cafe/la, with 

 feverai. heads, and fo difpofed as to form a canopy over 

 the head of the god. At the oppofite end is the god- 

 defs Si'va, with eight arms, mounted on a fingam. 

 Oppofed to her is a gigantic figure, with a buffalo's 

 head and human body. Between thefe is a human 

 figure, fufpended with the head downwards. The 

 goddefs is reprefented with feverai warlike wea- 

 pons, and fome armed dv\arf attendants; while the 

 monfler is armed with a club. In the character of 

 Durga, or protector of the virtuous, the goddefs 

 is refcuing from the Yem Rajah (the figure with 

 the buffalo's head) the fufpended figure fallen im- 

 properly into his hands. The figure and action of the 

 goddefs are executed in a mailerly and fpirited iryle. 



E 4 Over 



