Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c12.s3.t4.20

c12.s3.t4.20

These Shadkāmāvachara devās are six classes of gods still living in the realm of desires in which the passions are still unsubdued. Their representation here is very monotonous. Each of these six heavens is represented by the storeys of a palace, front of which is divided by pillars into three bays, the pillars in the alternate storeys being either plain or provided with elaborate Persepolitan capitals. In the central bay there sits a god, probably Indra, holding a thunder-bolt (Vajra) in his right hand and a flask containing nectar in his left. Behind him are his female attendants holding the royal umbrella and fly-whisk. In the bay to his right, seated on a slightly lower seat, is his viceroy; and to his left are the court musicians and dancers. With slight variations the same figures are repeated in each of the six heavens.