Eastern Indian School of Mediaeval Sculpture c8.s3.5

c8.s3.5

Under this heading mention should be made of a rare specimen in the collection of the Varendra Research Society. The figure is inscribed with the word "Charchikā" on the back slab. It has been included by the compilers of the catalogue of this institution under the species "D. Śakta images"¹. The similarity between the Sādhana of Vajracharchikā quoted by Mr. Bhattacharyya and this figure is remarkable. The Vajracharchikā possesses three eyes in one head, is seated in the ardha-paryaṅka posture, on a dead body, is emaciated, wears a garland of human skulls and possesses six hands. She holds a thunderbolt, a sword and a wheel in the right hands, while a human skull-cup, a jewel and a lotus are held in the left hands. The specimen in the Rajshahi Museum is seated in the ardha-paryaṅka posture, on a dead body, is emaciated and possesses three eyes in one head. It differs from the Vajracharchikā in the absence of the Dhyānī Buddha Akshobhya on the head-dress and in some of the symbols; because it holds a sword, a thunderbolt and a skull-cup in the right hands, while a trident, a shield and human head are held in the left hands².