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Studies in Indian Art c12.s2.t3: III. Rajghat Yaksha

Studies in Indian Art c12.s2.t3

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III. Rajghat Yaksha

c12.s2.t3.1

This colossal statute was found at the old site of Rajghat near Banaras at the time of the railway dig in 1940. It has now been removed to the Bharat Kala Bhavan. Its dimensions are ht. 5' × width 1'11" × girth round the stomach 6'5" (Fig. 41).

c12.s2.t3.2

The statue is somewhat strange, viz. representing a triple image which I propose to identify only tentatively as Trimukha Yaksha. On a three-sided block of stone, which has a square pedestal below, each side is carved with a standing male figure in bold relief. One of the side figures is better preserved than others. The figures are rather dwarfish in stature, plump, and have their hands lifted up as in Atlantes Yaksha figures. The eyes are large and bulging. The facial expression is that of a good-humoured fellow with laughter in the cheeks. The head is covered with a high turban of which the details are not well-preserved. In between the legs in front, there seems to be a prop-like object, of which the purpose is not clear. There is no trace of any drapery on the lower legs, but the bust seems to be covered with a *kurtā*-like costume falling to the knees. This is rather unusual as all other Yaksha images wear *dhotīs* on the lower portion of the body. Stylistically, the image seems to belong to the early Śuṅga period. The whole formula of a triple figure, the dimensions, its free standing nature and facial expression seem to suggest that we have to deal here with one of those early cult images, which represented the local tutelary deities called Yakshas. Other important examples of Yaksha images are well known.

c12.s2.t3.3

The *Mahābhārata* (Sabhāparva) gives a list of Yakshas present in the assembly of Kubera, but much more important and full is the list of Yakshas in the Buddhist work called *Mahāmāyurī*. Literary tradition shows that each region had its local Yaksha for whose worship appropriate images were installed. These stone images and the tradition of worship cannot have disappeared altogether and it is very likely that patient search into local history and archaeology will reveal traces of Yaksha worship and statuary in many other places. Fortunately, the gap for Banaras is filled by this image. I have not been able to find up to now a proper identification of this figure in the lists of Yakshas mentioned above, and the subject requires still further investigation.

Cites (2)