Studies in Indian Art c9.s3.26

c9.s3.26

This representation is so close to the literary tradition given in the Epics that it appears to suggest a conscious treatment by the artist of a theme which literary tradition had made popular. The sculptors at Sanchi and Bharhut (*p. 13. Figs. 4 : a, b, c & d,*) have carved time and again the lotus creepers as producing ornaments (*muktavaidūryachitrāṇi bhūṣaṇāni*). Kālidāsa in the *Kumārasambhava*, VIII. 68, refers to necklaces (*hārayaṣṭi*) hanging from the top of *Kalpa-Vriksha* trees. In the *Meghadūta* he mentions the *Kalpa-Vriksha* as the one complete source of all objects of adornment and toilet used by the women in Alakā, for example, beautiful fabrics, wine causing love glances in the eyes, flowers and tender leaves, a variety of ornaments and lac dye for painting the feet are the *Kalpa-Vriksha* products used for female beauty make-up (*abalā-maṇḍana*).¹