Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c11.16

c11.16

Another feature of architecture is a reference to the Atlantes or crouching dwarfs (Guhyaka, Sabhā, 10.3), also Kiṅkara (3.25), who as it were supported the building on their heads and hands, which seems to be moving in the sky (Antariksha-charā, ibid, 3.26; Khe-chara, 10.2) and being huge in size (Mahākāya) of grotesque shape (ghora) with ears pointed above like oyster-shelf (śukti-karṇa, ibid, 3.26). This architectural element has not been traced at Pāṭaliputra, but is a recognised feature in Chaitya halls of western India. There is no doubt that the pillared halls of the rock-excavations also followed the same ideal pattern.