Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c12.s2.t1.5

c12.s2.t1.5

In this connection Bharhut sculptures are unique in depicting humorous scenes showing actions of monkeys in contact with men and elephants. A scene inside a circular medallion shows a giant *Yakṣa* as the principal figure in the composition seated on a low backed chair and wearing a huge turban and ornaments. With the help of a gigantic forceps pulled by an elephant the monkeys plucked the hair from inside the nostrils of the Mahā-Yakṣa. Two other scenes represent the capture of a wild elephant by monkeys who lead him along in a triumphant procession. Another scene shows a huge sea-monster (*Mahātimingala*) with widely opened mouth in the act of swallowing a boat with its crew of three men. The picture of the boat with its zigzag cut long planks, dowel joints, the oars and rudder is interesting.