Eastern Indian School of Mediaeval Sculpture c8.s2.102

c8.s2.102

We are faced with another problem regarding the images with snake hoods over their heads. The earliest of these figures were dedicated at Nālandā during the reign of Devapāla.³ In this case the figure possesses two hands and holds a wheel in the left and a conch in the right hand. A canopy of a seven-hooded snake's head rises over his head. He is attended by a female on each side and an inscription at the back of the image informs us that it was dedicated in the square (haṭṭa) of the emperor Devapāla at Nālandā. Exactly similar are two other specimens discovered at the same place, one of which is in stone and has been identified by Mr. Hirananda Sastri as an image of Nāgārjuna.⁴ This image is seated in front of the coiled body of a great snake. It possesses one head and two hands and holds a water bottle in the left hand while a rosary is held in the right. There is no Dhyānī Buddha on the head-dress.⁵ The other specimen is made of bronze.⁶