37G 



Statistics of the 



[No. 38, 



mensions. The western recess contains a series of figures rang- 

 ed against the wall, cut in such bold relief as to approach very 

 nearly the appearance of statues. They are eight in number, the 

 first and last representing the two classes of Buddhist religionists ; 

 the intermediate ones are all females. The northern figure is a 

 Budiswatta holding his robe in his left hand, in the attitude these 

 figures generally are seen adopting. The southern figure is appa- 

 rently a sacred mendicant. The bix females all bear flowers and 

 fruit in their hands, and each have the hair very elaborately arranged. 

 Females were permitted by Sakya Muni to embrace a religious life, 

 and this cave may probably have been a convent for Nuns. 



In the opposite recess two figures are seen seated on cushioned 

 seats with backs: one is a ventricose old man with flowing wig, 

 holding a hand chaplet. This figure is commonly seen at Ajuntah 

 and Elloora, and very frequently associated, as in this instance, with 

 a full bosomed female seated by his side, nursing a child upon her 

 knee ; they have attendants behind, and Hying figures above. 



Standing on brackets at the corners to the north", are two well 

 sculptured females the size of life. The gallery passing round the 

 sanctuary is ascended by three steps, the sanctuary itself is raised 

 above these, two steps again. From the galleries/ six cells open, 

 and at the further extremity of the galleries are two chapels contain- 

 ing seated figures of Buddha. The sanctuary is a small chamber ten 

 feet square containing the usual seated figure of Buddha with a Lion- 

 throne, more than usually ornamented, out of the mouth of the Pro- 

 biscidean monster is seen rising, the gracefully curved neck of the 

 Ibis ; snakehooded figures kneel on the back of the throne, and 

 figures bestriding the horned monster, attacking others resting on the 

 kneeling Elephant's head beneath, are executed in the best possible 

 taste. Flying figures in pairs are perched above, whilst Buddhist 

 figures arranged one above the other in three rows, are placed on 

 either side : the lower ones have the legs crossed the rest are hang- 

 ing down. 



The wall on the right of the idol is occupied by a group of fe- 

 males in Demi Relievo standing 3j feet high • the central figure is a 

 dancing girl very slightly attired, the rest are playing a variety of 

 instruments, each adorned with an elaborate headdress. This sculp- 

 ture manifests very striking proof of a deviation from pure Buddhism, 

 as one of the minor precepts prohibited such indulgence as are here 

 exhibited : the opposite wall has some cleverly sculptured figures of 



