166 Inscribed Slab found near Chhalarpur. [March, 



animal. One additional circumstance occurs too in this specimen^ 

 which is the remains of a child resting upon the snake's neck. I should 

 conceive that this figure of a child is meant to represent the child of 

 Prithei, viz. mankind, born of earth (or Prithee), and of whom the 

 fable represents Hiran, the snake, to have been the enemy or destroyer, 

 but who has here triumphed, and is resting upon the serpent's neck — 

 " Thou shalt bruise his head, and he shall bruise thy heel." Another 

 very extraordinary fact is, that the tail of the Barao, though broken 

 off, (as indeed is that of each of the other specimens) must evidently 

 have joined on to the tail of the reptile ; this would seem to convey the 

 idea that the tail was either part of the enemy, or the enemy itself ; 

 but this discussion I must leave to the learned, being unable to grapple 

 with it myself. The tusks of the Hog are curved in the finest and most 

 determined manner. I do not recollect in what direction the woman's 

 feet are turned in this specimen, whether towards the animal, or 

 sideways from him. I would willingly have given a hundred rupees 

 (10/.) to have had a good sight of the " Prithee" creature, (who has been 

 taken away,) and that in a mutilated state too, as they have left her 

 feet and one arm. The Barao stands on a fine thick slab raised on 

 a high chabutra, which is accessible by steps formed of red granite, 

 (mind that). The roof is well formed, strong, and likely to last for 

 ages; as is also the Hog. I think he was covered with parallel rows of 

 human figures, like unto the others, but upon this fact I beg to say I 

 do not feel justified in speaking decidedly. 



Let us now look in at the little Mahadeo, or lingam, which is to 

 be seen in another temple, situated not far from this one. In order to 

 arrive at it, it is necessary to ascend a considerable number of steps, at 

 the top of which is situated the representation of the vital principle. 

 Let us now measure the height of the gentleman. The natives ob- 

 jected to my going inside, without taking off my boots, which would 

 have been inconvenient ; so standing at the door way, I saw a bearer 

 measure the height with my walking stick, it amounted to 2| of its 

 height, or eight feet, and its diameter about 1 J, or four feet. Its weight 

 will be about 7J tons, or 207 maunds. It was erected in a receptacle, 

 which was raised from the ground about four feet, and twenty- five 

 feet in diameter. That of the room exceeded it by perhaps three or four 

 feet on each side,— there being a passage all round it. I under- 

 stand a light is regularly kept burning there during the night time, and 

 it was considered by far the largest lingam in India, and is consequently 

 much venerated. The dimensions of the stone slab from which I 

 copied the inscriptions in the other temple, were 5| feet length, 

 3 feet breadth, and \ foot thickness— its weight is therefore about 



