THE SEVEN PAGODAS. 



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Leaving the path to the southward, which leads through a gap 

 in the rocks, and passing to the eastward of the outlying blocks, 

 the large sculptured surface will be found on the east face of a 

 couple of the largest. The general idea in this great bas-relief 

 tableau is somewhat the same as in the other, No. 17, but the 

 execution is very different, and being more exposed is very much 

 more weather-worn. 



The scene is divided in halves (as in No. 17) by a great chasm 

 or cleft in the rock in which there are signs of separate carved 

 stones having been once fixed, though now gone ; but the remains 

 of an artificial bridge or canopy near the top of the cleft may 

 still be seen. The excavation of the sand at the foot of the rock 

 might probably reveal the Naga or other figures that once occu- 

 pied (here as in No. 17) the post of honour; for here, as there, 

 all the figures except Arjuna look towards the centre. There 

 are many similarities and differences in the two scenes as repre- 

 sented that are well worth study. Arjuna, or the performer of 

 the penance, is represented in a slightly different attitude, not 

 only standing on one leg with his hands joined high above his 

 head, but his face also is turned fixedly up, which is another 

 form of penance. 



Remains of a coating of plaster may be seen still adhering to 

 the sculptured part of the rock. 



46. The mere commencement of an excavation. — This lies in 

 the defile west of the path at the back of the rocks on which 

 the second version of the Penance (No. 45) is carved. It is 

 interesting as showing how the excavations were commenced. 

 It might have been taken before No. 45. 



44. Dharmaraja's Mandapa. — A little way south after passing 

 No. 46, the path emerges from between the rocks and at a score 

 or two of yards distance arrives opposite a plain, neat, well 

 finished, little excavation, situated at a good elevation up amongst 

 the rocks at the south-south-eastmost end of the group and 

 facing eastwards. This is an interesting work of art though 

 exceedingly plain, as it is completed, well finished, and is not in 

 the same style as that of most of the other excavations and 



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